Abstract: A probe is constructed for placement in the hot turbine section of a gas turbine engine. A housing containing two electrodes extends through the turbine shroud into the tip clearance area of the turbine rotor. A voltage impressed across the electrodes will generate an electric field in the vicinity of the turbine blades which will be distorted as the blades pass, thereby generating a charge pulse at the output of the probe. The electrode conductors are imbedded in pins which are retained by insulating rings brazed in place. The electrodes extend slightly outward from the surrounding insulating surfaces to create an air gap around each electrode. This air gap provides additional insulation and prevents contamination.

Abstract: A test stand for measuring the thrust produced by a jet engine includes a base and a floating frame having the engine connected thereto, with the floating frame being disposed in spaced, parallel relationship to said base. The base and floating frame are interconnected by a plurality of elongated support flexures, each of which is provided with a first and second elongated generally planar webs, disposed in axial alignment and with the plane of the first web being orthogonal to the plane of the second web. The flexures are disposed such that the plane of the fist web is perpendicular to the logitudinal axis of the jet engine. In operation, the thrust of the jet engine causes movement of the floating frame relative to the base thereby resulting in a corresponding bending of the flexure, with the bending being localized in the first web to facilitate its measurement. A control circuit is provided which includes a plurality of transducers that are bonded to the flat surface portion of the first web.

Abstract: A flow stabilizer is presented which equalizes the flow of fluid through the passageways of the channel diffuser used with a centrifugal type rotary compressor. Slots are formed in the sidewalls of the flow separating vanes in the diffuser. The slots open into cavities within the vanes. The multiplicity of cavities communicate by means of openings through the diffuser wall into a common closed manifold. The fluid interconnection between the multiplicity of passageways in the diffuser and the encircling common manifold increases the operating range of the compressor since pressure surges in one or more passageways are quickly equalized.

Abstract: A turbine cylinder is in contact at its outer surface with split rings which are held in place in annular slots in a cylindrically extending ring holder. The rings, while remaining in contact with the outer surface of the cylinder, are allowed to expand and contract within their respective slots. Notches are constructed at the inner circumference of the rings to form a labyrinth type cooling passage in conjunction with the outer surface of the turbine cylinder.

Abstract: In order to measure the temperature of the mid-span first stage rotor blade of a gas turbine engine, an optical pyrometer is mounted in the inner casing of the gas turbine engine and includes an elongated sight tube extending from the optical lens of the pyrometer and through the wall of the engine separating the inner casing from the rotor. The sight tube includes an array of spaced apertures extending therethrough in the vicinity of the optical lens, with each aperture extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the sight tube away from the optical lens. Pressurized air within the inner casing passes through the array of apertures and effectively forms a conically-shaped fluid screen for preventing smoke, dust, fumes, or other contaminants from contaminating the optical lens.

Abstract: An emergency oil/mist system is embodied in the main lubrication system for a bearing or gear box assembly of a gas turbine engine, and includes an auxiliary reservoir interconnected between the main source of pressurized lubricant and an air aspirating nozzle which is capable of either providing a stream of oil to the bearing, or a mist of lubricant to the bearing. A source of pressurized air is connected to the air aspirating nozzle through a control piston valve, and the latter also is provided in a vent line extending between the auxiliary reservoir and the atmosphere. During normal operation of the main lubrication system, the source of pressurized oil is connected through the auxiliary reservoir to the nozzle for providing a stream of lubricant to the bearing.

Abstract: A stationary air-cooled shroud or cylinder forming a portion of a turbine asembly includes an inner ring having a matrix of grooves formed therein, and an outer restraining ring covering the matrix so as to form a labyrinth of passageways for the flow of cooling air therethrough. A suspension ring cooperates with the inner ring and the restraint ring to define an entry flow path for the cooling air, and also a plenum chamber having an auxiliary outlet to provide film cooling air to the clearance spacing between the inner ring and the rotor blade tips. The fow of cool air through the labyrinth is operative to reduce the level and gradient of the metal tempertures in the shroud in order to obtain improved turbine blade tip clearance control.

Abstract: A stepless variable stroke drive particularly suitable for a bicycle transmission has a crank driven input element comprising a carrier housing journaled for rotation on a spindle. Mounted within the carrier, journaled on individual axles, radially spaced to the spindle, are four planet gears which engage an output sun gear. Recessed into one side of each planet gear is a concentric channel whose outer circumference is constructed with ratchet teeth and whose inner circumference journals a crank ring having pawls for engaging the ratchet teeth. The ring also has a follower which engages a cylindrical cam channel fixed on and adjustable to various eccentricities relative to the spindle. As the carrier housing rotates, the crank ring follower engages the cam channel causing the crank rings to angularly oscillate at an amplitude proportional to the cam channel eccentricity.

Abstract: A stepless variable stroke drive particularly suitable for a bicycle transmission has a crank driven input element comprising a carrier housing journaled for rotation on a spindle. Mounted within the carrier, journaled on individual axles, radially spaced to the spindle, are four planet gears which engage an output sun gear. Recessed into one side of each planet gear is a concentric channel whose outer circumference is constructed with ratchet teeth and whose inner circumference journals a crank ring having pawls for engaging the ratchet teeth. The ring also has a follower which engages a cylindrical cam channel fixed on and adjustable to various eccentricities relative to the spindle. As the carrier housing rotates, the crank ring follower engages the cam channel causing the crank rings to angularly oscillate at an amplitude proportional to the cam channel eccentricity.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for minimizing the infrared radiation emitted at the aft end of a bypass fan type turbine engine. Minimization is accomplished by ducting cool air from the secondary bypass airstream through an annulus to form a sheath of cooler air around the gas stream as it is discharged from the engine tailpipe. The sheath of air educted along the inside surface of the engine tailpipe minimizes infrared radiation in two ways. First it reduces the operating temperature of the tailpipe thus keeping radiation therefrom to a low level. Second, the cool outside air becomes entrained in the hot gas stream discharged from the turbine. This results in a reduction of the effective temperature of the gas plume and suppresses infrared radiation therefrom.

Abstract: The inlet and primary impingement surfaces of a particle separator used in a gas turbine engine are coated with a composition consisting substantially of cellulose nitrate.

Abstract: A multichannel particle separator for use in cleaning engine inlet air is disclosed. The separator uses a plurality of channel assemblies arranged in parallel side-by-side fashion within a substantially rectangular housing. Separation of undesired particles is achieved by accelerating the incoming airstream to a high velocity and turning it such that inertia carries the dirt particles into a particle collection chamber. A small percentage of the incoming air is used to induce particulate matter to proceed into the particle collection chambers. Heated air from a source within the adjacent engine is passed along passages within the interior of each channel assembly to heat the surface thereof and prevent ice formation thereon when operating under adverse meteorological conditions.

Abstract: The shroud or stationary housing for the impeller of a centrifugal compressor includes inherent means for selectively controlling the displacement thereof during operation of the centrifugal compressor, and in a manner to substantially maintain uniform spacing or clearance between the shroud and the blade tips of the rotating impeller in order to achieve improved performance at both part and full power operating conditions. The shroud is preferably formed of a unitary member including an annular, concave disc portion substantially corresponding to the configuration of the tips of the blades of the impeller, with the annular concave disc portion being rigid and connected to a fixed flange support portion by a flexible, annular diaphragm which extends generally perpendicular to the shaft of the impeller.

Abstract: A vehicular drive system is presented which couples an infinitely variable automatic transmission to a constant speed electric motor. The drive system utilizes a battery powered DC motor having a no-load to full-load speed variation of less than 10 percent. The motor drives the input shaft of the transmission. The output of the transmission is coupled to drive the vehicle axle. Adjustment of the eccentricity of a cam plate within the transmission controls the speed and torque ratio between input and output shafts of the transmission. Eccentricity is varied as a function of tension on a spring in opposition to the forces developed on the cam plate by the transmitted torque. Spring tension is controlled by the pressure applied to an operator actuated accelerator pedal. The more the accelerator pedal is depressed, the greater will be vehicle acceleration and/or the steeper the hill that can be climbed.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil filter for removing contaminant particles from a pressurized fluid medium includes a cylindrical drum concentric with and fixedly secured to a rotational shaft, with an annular disc being disposed within and rotatable with the drum. The disc is centered within the drum and spaced from the internal circumferential surface of the drum so as to partition the drum into two radial passageways interconnected at said internal circumferential surface. The latter is of irregular configuration to define an annular collection zone for collecting contaminant particles centerfuged outwardly by rotation of said drum. Pressurized fluid medium is provided to one radial passageway, flows past the annular collection zone where the contaminant particles are centerfuged and entrapped in the irregular internal circumferential surface of the drum, after which the pressurized fluid medium is forced radially inwardly through the other radial passageway and out of the centrifugal oil filter.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a duct is constructed extending axially and communicating directly, through a transverse opening, with the engine plenum. The plenum extends upward into the engine nacelle and connects with the inlet to the compressor of the gas turbine engine. A portion of the air entering the duct is drawn into the plenum. The remainder is exhausted out of the rear portion of the duct. To create inertial separation, a door is mounted on a lever arm which may be rotated between two positions. In one position the door partially closes the entrance to the plenum causing the airflow to turn through a greater angle in order to enter the plenum. The turning motion of the airflow divides the particles of heavier mass to the outside of the turn. These particles will be exhausted from the rearward exit of the duct. In a second position the door closes the rear portion of the duct so that the entire volume of air entering the duct is supplied to the engine plenum.

Abstract: A composite, ceramic/metallic fabricated blade unit for an axial flow rotor includes an elongated metallic support member having an airfoil-shaped strut, one end of which is connected to a dovetail root for attachment to the rotor disc, while the opposite end thereof includes an end cap of generally airfoil-shape. The circumferential undercut extending between the end cap and the blade root is clad with an airfoil-shaped ceramic member such that the cross-section of the ceramic member substantially corresponds to the airfoil-shaped cross-section of the end cap, whereby the resulting composite ceramic/metallic blade has a smooth, exterior airfoil surface. The metallic support member has a longitudinally extending opening through which coolant is passed during the fabrication of the blade.

Abstract: A lubrication supply system for providing lubricant to the bearings and the gear box assemblies of a gas turbine engine includes a three stage poppet control valve means interposed between the source of pressurized lubricant and the bearings. The control valve is responsive to the engine speed which determines the level of pressurization of the pressurized lubricant. The control valve by-passes all lubricant to a sump below a selected speed, opens a first passage to the bearings, etc. during idling speed and, modulates the opening of a second passage to the bearings, etc., at speeds above idling.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of suppressing infrared radiation emitted from hot metal parts at the aft end of a gas turbine engine and from the exhaust gas plume thereof are provided and such apparatus comprises a dual purpose ejector vane assembly operatively associated with the engine for introducing cooling ambient air into the hot engine exhaust gases and hiding the hot metal parts wherein the assembly comprises a tubular duct structure comprised of two cooperating portions defined by an upstream portion and a downstream portion with the upstream portion having a discharge end of a particular area and the downstream portion having an inlet end provided with an inlet area which is larger than the particular area to define an annular space therebetween for receiving cooling ambient air therethrough by ejector action during operation of the engine, and one of the portions has at least one vane providing at least one stream of cooling ambient air by ejector action completely across the duct structure which ser

Abstract: A flexible coupling shaft which is suitable for plug-in installation between the splined output shaft of a turbine engine and the splined input shaft of a testing apparatus for the production test of the engine, includes a shaft member having opposed end flanges which are connected by: (1) bayonet connections to hub members, each having a splined central portion for receiving the splined shaft of either the engine or the testing device; and (2) flexible joint connections in the form of stacked arrays of flat metallic shims, with the stacked shims being separately connected respectively to the flange parts of the shaft and the associated hub. By this arrangement, axial misalignment between the splined input and output shafts is compensated by the splined interconnections, while lateral misalignments are compensated for by bending of the stacked shims which define a diaphragm-type coupling.