Abstract: A nozzle for radial inflow turbines having an outer surface having a concave shape, and an inner surface having a non-concave, i.e. straight or convex, shape. Also a leading edge may have a hole that is capable of receiving a fastener to secure the nozzle vane to an assembly housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for cooling the bleed air supply in an on-board inert gas generation system. The gas generation system cools the bleed air using a turbocompressor in conjunction with heat exchangers. Exhaust from a regenerative heat exchanger providing air to the turbocompressor is ported to a ram air outlet using a flow-restriction/ejector unit.

Abstract: An aircraft architecture may be designed to create an optimal balance between electric power and bleed power in order to match or improve current more electric architecture (MEA) performance while simplifying power extraction from the engines as well as simplifying the electrical system. Conventional aircraft architectures may use electric only ECS and cabin pressurization systems (so-called “no bleed” systems). Alternatively, older conventional aircraft may use strictly engine bleed air to provide power for ECS and cabin pressurization systems. The present invention, on the other hand, provides an architecture which may optimize the use of both engine bleed air and MEA designs to provide a system that may be simpler and potentially more reliable and available as compared to conventional aircraft architectures.

Abstract: A sealing unit includes a mismatched metal-to-metal seal and an o-ring seal with a vent hole therebetween. The mismatched metal-to-metal seal may provide a sealing surface between two metals that may withstand high temperatures and pressure while avoiding leakage over many cycles. The sealing units of the present invention may provide a seal capable of withstanding pressures greater than about 5,000 psig, and typically greater than 6,000 psig, and more typically greater than 7,000 psig; and temperatures greater than about 300° F., and typically greater than about 400° F., and more typically greater than about 500° F. over a service life of more than 5,000 cycles. By providing a vent hole between the metal-to-metal seal and the o-ring seal, should either seal leak, damage to the other/good seal may be prevented by expelling the leak out of the system.

Abstract: A starting system for aircraft engines employs power from multiple power sources. Each engine is started with a starter motor that is driven by the same multiple power sources which collectively provide starting power. As engine speed increases during each starting cycle a voltage boost is progressively provided by a boost converter. The starting system allows use of voltages higher than output voltage of the power sources while allowing the power sources to remain connected to a main aircraft power distribution bus.

Abstract: A multiple-winding induction machine may be used to obtain a reduced-speed-variation electric drive when using a variable-frequency power distribution system. Each winding may have a different number of poles. The winding with the smallest number of poles may operate the machine at the lowest bus frequency, while the winding with the largest number of poles may operate the machine at the highest bus frequency. In one embodiment, a third winding, with a middle number of poles, may operate the machine at the middle frequency ranges. The speed of the induction machine is a function of the electrical frequency and the number of the winding poles. Therefore, the operating speed range can be reduced by switching from one winding to another. According to the present invention, windings with different numbers of poles can be designed to achieve different reductions in speed variation.

Abstract: An annular bus ring assembly for connecting main rotor windings of a generator to the exciter diodes includes a plurality of annular bus rings with tabs bent over forming plurality of pads mounted on either side of a dielectric hub. The pads of annular bus rings clocked at an angle to each other to generate a pattern of plurality of pads on a equal angle spacing on a diameter to connect to the diodes by wire rope leads and a pattern of two connection at 90° spacing to connect to main generator leads.

Abstract: A disengagement/disconnect assembly for disengaging a generator from a gear box may include an inner ball screw having an angled threading on an outer surface thereof and surrounding and operatively engaged to a rotating generator drive shaft to cause rotation of the inner ball screw. The inner ball screw may be attached to an engagement member having undercut and interlockable teeth engaged to corresponding teeth of an engagement member of the gear box. An outer ball screw may surround and normally rotate with the inner ball screw. A helical ball track may be formed between the inner and outer ball screws. A brake may be provided for slowing or stopping rotation of the outer ball screw so that the inner ball screw rotates relative to the outer ball screw along the ball track and slides axially away from the gear box thereby disengaging the generator from the gear box drive shaft.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus and method may allow for two methods of engine start where only one engine gearbox accessory pad exists off the aircraft engine. A gearbox lubricating apparatus may also be provided to lubricate the gearbox at altitude without added complexity. Two engine starting inputs (for example, one input for ground start and one input for in-flight engine start) are provided while avoiding complex gearbox designs. Clutches may also be used to prevent the starter gearbox from continuous operation (rotation) after the engine has started. Apparatus and methods are also provided for improving the air-fuel combustion of the hot-gas turbine start input (for in-flight engine start) to minimize the build-up of solid carbon (soot) in and around the combustor and turbine nozzle flow passages.

Abstract: A power generation and distribution system utilizes two or more AC generators each of which may be driven by a separate prime mover such as a turbine. The generators may be driven at different rotational speeds. AC power from the generators may be rectified and applied to a common DC bus. Electrical loads may be applied to the common bus and may establish an electrical power requirement. Allocation of electrical power requirement may be made among the generators based on power available from the turbines.

Abstract: An ice prevention network comprising a plurality of non-overlapping heater elements arranged in a grid along an airfoil is provided, powered by a multiphase power source, each phase powering selected heater elements that can selectively be powered on and powered off. The grid has a number of zones extending along the airfoil perpendicular to the airflow over the airfoil and a number of sections extending along the surface of the airfoil parallel to the airflow over the airfoil. Each of the heater elements is assigned to a single power phase and arranged such that an arbitrary section may be deactivated without causing a phase imbalance of more than one heating unit and such that a single zone may be activated without causing a phase imbalance of more than one heating unit.

Abstract: When driven by a variable speed prime mover, a generator system provides relatively constant frequency AC power by independently controlling the main rotor flux rotational speed. The generator system includes an exciter stator that induces current in the exciter rotor windings at a desired frequency and phasing. The exciter rotor windings are electrically connected to and located in a common core as the main rotor windings to provide two-phase excitation current to the main rotor windings. The exciter stator winding is also located in a common core as the main generator stator windings. Excitation is supplied to the exciter stator from an exciter controller, which controls the frequency and phasing of the exciter excitation, based on the rotational speed and rotor position of the generator, to maintain a constant output frequency.

Abstract: A matrix converter circuit having two AC/AC matrix converters coupled in parallel in a first mode to power a starter and decoupled in a second mode to each power separate functions used in aircraft power applications. Three common functional modes include 1) start mode with two matrix converters operating in parallel powering the starter, 2) a motor mode where one matrix converter powers a motor, and 3) a constant frequency power mode where the other matrix converter provides constant frequency AC power.

Abstract: An onboard inert gas generation system includes an evaporator comprising a vessel that receives a hydrocarbon fuel from a fuel tank, separates vapor fuel components from liquid fuel components, establishes a nearly constant fuel vapor composition, and outputs the fuel vapor to be mixed with air prior to combusting the fuel vapor and air mixture in a catalytic reactor. Water is separated from the inert gas produced and the inert gas is introduced into the ullage space of the fuel tank to prevent or reduce possible hazardous conditions in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A disengagement assembly for disengaging a generator from an engine or gear box may include an inner ball screw having helical threading on an outer surface thereof and surrounding and operatively engaged to a rotating generator drive shaft to cause rotation of the inner ball screw, the inner ball screw may have interlockable teeth engaged to corresponding teeth of the gear box drive shaft. An outer ball screw may surround and may normally rotate with the inner ball screw. A helical ball track may be formed between the inner and outer ball screws. An eddy current brake may slow or stop rotation of the outer ball screw so that the inner ball screw may rotate relative to the outer ball screw and slide axially toward a lock thereby disengaging the generator from the engine.

Abstract: An active electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering may reduce the requirements for high current differential mode inductors. The active EMI filtering of the present invention may be useful in power devices that use switching power converters. Conventional EMI differential mode filtering devices may occupy up to 30% of the total weight and volume of the power electronics. Conventional differential mode filtering inductors tend to be large and heavy, especially so for high current input power lines. The present invention may replace the large conventional differential mode filtering inductors with a smaller set of coupled inductors.

Abstract: A wind energy converter has a generator adapted to be coupled directly to a wind turbine without need for a mechanical gear unit. A rectifier is coupled to the generator and a converter is coupled to the rectifier to provide a regulated DC bus voltage as a function of a controlled duty cycle. An inverter is coupled to the converter for providing a regulated AC output to a load.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used in hot swap of AC or DC line replaceable modules (40A). The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a pin assembly (183), the pin assembly (183) being connectable to a module (40A) and connectable to a backplane (104), the pin assembly (183) resistively reducing a current associated with the module (40A) during disconnection of the module (40A) from the backplane (104), and presenting a high resistance to the module (40A) during connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104), and a low resistance to the module (40A) at completion of the connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104); and a hot swap detector (134) connectable to the pin assembly (183), the hot swap detector (134) detecting the disconnection of the module (40A) from the backplane (104), and detecting the connection of the module (40A) to the backplane (104).

Abstract: A containment system comprises at least one passage obstructer extending from a housing inlet cover through a diffuser passage and into a housing back cover. The passage obstructer includes a fastener portion, such as a bolt, and an obstructing portion extending from and integral to a shaft of the fastener portion. The diameter of the obstructing portion is less than the diameter of the shaft, allowing the obstructing portion to bend upon impact with a burst impeller fragment.

Abstract: An electrical distribution control system for a vehicle such as an aircraft may be provided fire-suppression protection without requiring that all control elements are located in a fire-containment enclosure. A primary electric load center (ECL) may be located in a fire-containment equipment bay. Secondary power control centers (SPC's) may be located away from the equipment bay and close to set of loads which are controlled by the SPC's. Each SPC may be provided with a fire detecting sensor that may signal the ECL to interrupt input power to the SPC in the event of a fire in the SPC. The SPC may be constructed from self-extinguishing material. In an absence of input power to the SPC, a fire may self extinguish, thus preventing flame propagation or production of excessive external heat.