Abstract: A method enables a nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor assembly to be fabricated. The rotor assembly includes at least two adjacent rows of rotor blades coupled together by a disk spacer arm. The method includes providing a nozzle assembly that includes at least one nozzle including a vane that extends outwardly from a radially outer side of an inner band, coupling the nozzle assembly into the rotor assembly between the two adjacent rows of rotor blades, and coupling a seal assembly that includes a backing piece to the nozzle assembly such that the backing piece is substantially parallel to the rotor assembly disk spacer arm.

Abstract: An engine maintenance system determines an “as flying” configuration of an aircraft engine and a desired configuration of the aircraft engine. The two configurations are compared to determine maintenance services to be performed on the aircraft engine.

Abstract: A butterfly valve for a gas turbine engine includes a valve shaft and a valve disk. The valve disk has a centerline axis that extends through the valve disk. The valve disk also includes a shaft opening, an outer periphery, an outer surface, a first side, and a second side. The first side is opposite the second side. The shaft opening extends through the valve disk adjacent the centerline axis, and is sized to receive the valve shaft therein. The disk outer surface extends over the first and second sides, and is tapered between the outer periphery and the centerline axis over at least one of the disk first and second sides.

Abstract: A rescue tool is for use with emergency extrications from a structure. The tool includes a shaft and a pair of arms coupled to the shaft. The shaft has an axis of symmetry, and the pair of opposing arms include a first arm and a second arm. At least one of the first arm and the second arm is slidably coupled to the shaft and is configured to move along the shaft in a direction that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis of symmetry. Each of the arms includes an inner face and an outer face. At least one of the arm inner and outer faces includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact the structure. At least one of the first arm and the second arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the shaft.

Abstract: A method enables a duct to be coupled to a gas turbine engine casing. The method comprises extending a first inner tube support member circumferentially around the duct, such that a radially inner side of the first inner tube support is against the duct, and wherein the first inner tube support member has a substantially curved cross sectional profile extending between the radially inner side of the first inner tube support, and a radially outer side of the first inner tube support. The method also comprises extending an outer tube support member circumferentially around the first inner tube support member such that the outer tube support member is against the first inner tube support member outer surface, and coupling the outer tube support member to the gas turbine engine casing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor shaft includes fabricating a first shaft portion that extends axially from a first end to a second end, fabricating a second shaft portion that extends axially from a first end to a second end, and coupling the second shaft portion to the first shaft portion with an explosive bonded joint such that the second shaft portion is aligned substantially concentrically with respect to the first shaft portion, and such that the bonded joint extends obliquely with respect to a centerline axis of symmetry of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes at least one vane that includes a first body, a second body, and a passageway. The first body includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are connected at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The passageway extends between the second body and the first body leading edge.

Abstract: A method for imaging a desired coronary artery or desired portion thereof is provided. The method includes reconstructing a first 2D image of a first desired coronary artery branch segment utilizing a first projection dataset acquired during a first desired cardiac phase of a plurality of cardiac cycles to reduce motion artifacts of the first desired coronary artery branch segment, reconstructing a second 2D image of a second desired coronary artery branch segment utilizing a second projection dataset acquired during a second desired cardiac phase of the plurality of cardiac cycles to reduce motion artifacts of the second desired coronary artery branch segment, and reconstructing at least one 3D image of the coronary artery utilizing the first 2D image and the second 2D image.

Abstract: A coupling used to transfer fluid between two conduits includes a seal arrangement that permits an inner sleeve to move axially and angularly without fluid leaking from the coupling. The coupling also includes a pair of coupling members coupled to the inner sleeve, around each end of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve includes tapered ends sized to receive a seal including a spherical lip. Each coupling member includes a tapered end that compresses each seal during assembly of the coupling. The seal spherical lips maintain sealable contact between the inner sleeve and the coupling first and second members.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel delivery system that uses circumferential fuel staging. The fuel delivery system includes a plurality of fuel supply rings and a backpurge sub-system. The fuel supply rings are arranged concentrically at various radial distances to supply fuel to a combustor through a plurality of combustor manifolds and pigtails. The backpurge system uses high temperature and high pressure combustor air to purge fuel from non-flowing fuel supply rings, combustor pigtails, and combustor manifolds. Additionally, the fuel delivery system includes at least two orifices to minimize pressure decays during filling stages.

Abstract: A method for estimating a material composition of an imaged object using an imaging system. The imaging system includes a radiation source and a digital detector. The method also includes scanning a plurality of calibration phantoms with varying material composition to acquire a plurality of reference calibration images, estimating an attenuation coefficient thickness product for each pixel in the reference calibration images, and estimating a material composition of a region of interest using the estimated pixelwise coefficient thickness product.

Abstract: A combustion control system controls a turbine engine that includes a fuel manifold and a plurality of fuel injectors. The control system includes a fuel pulsator and a controller. The fuel pulsator is coupled in flow communication with the plurality of injectors and the fuel manifold. The controller is coupled to the fuel pulsator such that the pulsator is between the controller and the fuel manifold. The controller is variably selectable and configured to facilitate promoting stable combustion.

Abstract: A connector assembly for mounting turbomachinery including a link connector to be coupled to a clevis. The clevis includes a pair of arms and an opening that extends therethrough. The link connector includes a first end that includes an elastomer portion that defines an opening. The connector assembly further includes a support washer having an opening extending therethrough adjacent the link connector elastomer portion, and a fastener inserted through the clevis opening, the support washer opening, and the link connector elastomer opening to couple the link connector and the support washer to the clevis such that the link connector is coupled between the clevis arms by the fastener, and such that the support washer thermally insulates at least a portion of the link connector elastomer portion.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly that in an exemplary embodiment includes an elongate brush core holder, at least three elongate brush core packs bundled together side-by-side in the brush core holder forming a single assembly. Each brush core pack includes a bristle holder and a plurality of bristles coupled to the bristle holder.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a residential electrical load center, including a residential electrical wiring system and at least one electronic communicating circuit breaker. The electronic communicating circuit breaker includes a fuse protected communications and control module. The system provides power to the fuse protected communications and control module utilizing the residential electrical wiring system, and operates the electronic communicating circuit breaker utilizing the fuse protected communications and control module regardless of whether the electronic communicating circuit breaker is in an ‘Open’ or ‘Closed’ state.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: A connector that receives a threaded apparatus and reduces stresses induced from the treaded apparatus into the connector is described. The connector includes a top side, a bottom side, and an opening that extends therethrough. The opening is defined by an inner surface that includes a threadform including a plurality of threads. The threads extend radially outward from the inner surface into the connector opening and include a first thread portion and a cutback that extends through a portion of the threadform. The cutback facilitates less stresses being induced into the first thread portion.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve housing and at least one control member. The valve housing includes a sidewall and an opening extending therethrough. The sidewall defines the opening and includes at least one recess formed therein. Each control member is rotatably coupled to the valve housing within the sidewall recess, and each control member is configured to allow flow of fluid through the valve opening in a first direction. Each control member is further configured to substantially prevent flow of fluid through the valve opening in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for assembling a flap and seal system for a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle including a plurality of backbone assemblies facilitates attaching a basesheet to a backbone. The method includes attaching an attachment system including at least one strap to a basesheet, and coupling the basesheet to a backbone using the attachment system strap.

Abstract: A strap clamp secures tubing to an aircraft engine housing. The clamp includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion unilaterally extending from the first portion and, with a second thickness. The clamp is flexible and is capable of being formed around the tubing to be secured. The clamp includes a plurality of apertures which receive threaded connectors used to secure the clamp.