Abstract: A combustor apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor liner support having an annular dome panel and a plurality of load transfer members extending axially therefrom. The dome panel maintains inner and outer combustor liners in spaced relation to define a combustion chamber. The load transfer members extend into a diffuser flowpath defined by inner and outer flowpath structures which are interconnected by a plurality of struts. Each of the load transfer members surrounds at least a portion of a corresponding strut to shield the strut from fluid flowing through the diffuser flowpath.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring mechanism to vector thrust and control discharge throat area includes four or more vanes mounted across the outlet of a nozzle in a cascade arrangement. The mechanism further includes a rod to control pivoting of each of the vanes that may be selectively rotated with one or more actuators. The rod includes threading. The vanes each include a drive member that is either toothed to engage the rod threading or defines a camming relationship with a coupling member threaded on the rod. The rod threading, drive members, and coupling members may be arranged to define different pivoting schedules for each of the vanes so that a generally constant throat area may be maintained over a given vector directional range of the vanes. The outlet may be generally rectangular in cross-section and a strut may be mounted across the outlet perpendicular to the pivot axes of the vanes to house the rod, drive members, and/or coupling members.

Abstract: A thrust compensation apparatus for high-speed rotating machinery includes an electromagnetic thrust bearing having a thrust rotor and a thrust stator, a first chamber filled with a pressurized medium on one side of the bearing, and a second chamber on the other side of the bearing. The pressure differential across the bearing augments the electromagnetic force between the rotor and stator in order to counteract the axial thrust load of the high-speed rotating machinery.

Abstract: A high temperature capable flange is disclosed where the use of bolts is minimized or eliminated. The flange is intended for use in a gas turbine engine extending generally along a central axis. The loads between a hanger and an inner case, a hanger and a seal, or between all three are transmitted through pin arrangements that are substantially radially located. The hanger, inner case and seal all include generally ring shaped portions that are at least partially overlapping. The ring shaped portions of the components may have a variety of radially overlapping cavities for receiving the pins in different arrangements.

Abstract: An interchangeable combustor chute for directing airflow into a gas turbine engine combustor. In one aspect the combustor chute is secured to the combustor liner by mechanical fastener. The combustor chute is formed of a high temperature resistant material such as ceramics.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an apparatus for supporting an annular combustor liner in a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of radial lugs extending outwardly from an outer surface of the combustor liner and being spaced circumferentially and uniformly about a periphery of the combustor liner. A band is disposed about the outer surface of the combustor liner and coupled to the radial lugs. The radial lugs each include a radially extending slot having opposing circumferentially facing radial surfaces. The band includes a plurality of pins, each pin being disposed within a respective one of the slots. The pin is configured to bear against at least one of the radial surfaces to provide circumferential support to the combustor liner by substantially preventing relative circumferential movement between the combustor liner and the band. The pin is slidable between the radial surfaces to allow relative radial movement between the combustor liner and the band.

Abstract: A high temperature repairable airfoil having a plurality of flow path cover tiles coupled to a single crystal spar member. In one embodiment, the plurality of flow path cover tiles include an attachment portion that is received within a groove formed in the outer surface of the spar. The attachment portion slides into a retaining feature within the groove so as to limit movement of the plurality of flow path cover tiles. Upon rotation of the airfoil, the plurality of flow path cover tiles become centrifugally loaded with a portion of the spar member. In one embodiment, the plurality of flow path cover tiles are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, intermetallic, and thermal barrier coated single crystal alloy material.

Abstract: A thrust directing mechanism to vector thrust and control discharge throat area with a number of vanes mounted across the passage. The mechanism includes a control link pivotally coupled to each of the vanes. The control link is selectively movable to correspondingly pivot the vanes and has at least two degrees of freedom corresponding to a two coordinate position. A desired orientation of the vanes may be determined as a function of the two coordinate position. The discharge exit area is contracted by adjusting convergence of the vanes. During convergence, the vanes are pivoted to various pivot angles selected to optimize thrust efficiency when contracting the throat area.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable vane having a winglet integrally formed therewith. In one embodiment, the variable vane includes a winglet attached to one end so as to reduce endwall losses resulting from air leakage from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the airfoil. The winglet substantially increases the width of the endwall gap thereby reducing the loss associated with the vortex flow caused by leakage of gas from the pressure side to the section side of the airfoil. In another aspect the winglet runs along the airfoil thereby increasing stiffness and acting as a bracing strut to increase the resonant frequency of the airfoil.

Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine having a shroud and a rotor with one or more blades. The rotor rotates within the shroud to pressurize a fluid during operation of the engine. An electromagnetic actuator is also included that is operable to move the shroud relative to the rotor to adjust clearance between the shroud and blades. In addition, a controller is included in this system to determine a desired amount of clearance in accordance with an operating mode of the engine. The controller generates an actuation signal to change the clearance in correspondence with the desired amount. The electromagnetic actuator responds to the actuation signal to provide the desired amount of clearance.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a mechanical coupling for connecting a gas turbine engine to an aircraft mounted exhaust system. In one embodiment, the coupling includes a collar mounted to the gas turbine engine proximate the gas turbine engine's outlet. The collar having a pair of spaced elongated recesses formed therein. An inner surface of the exhaust system includes a pair of pins extending into the pair of spaced elongated recesses. The inter-engagement of the pins and recesses connect the gas turbine engine with the exhaust system. The pins being moveable within the recesses in response to movement by the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a high strength magnetic composite material system comprising a plurality of high strength fibers coupled together by a soft magnetic alloy. In one embodiment an internally reinforced structure is formed of the composite material system and has strengths greater than the monolithic magnetic alloy. The structure having been consolidated through a combined pressure and thermal cycle.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of fabricating a ring or disk having select regions reinforced with a metal matrix composite material. In one embodiment the method includes forming the ring or disk of a high strength iron-cobalt metal matrix composite material. The ring or disk is formed by joining a plurality of metallic members with a composite member located between the metallic members. The metallic members and the composite member form a preassembly, which is subjected to a thermal and pressure cycle so as to cause a metallurgical bonding of the metallic members.

Abstract: A retainer for a rotor disk assembly of a gas turbine engine forms one aspect of the present invention. The retainer prevents axial displacement of a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor disk. The retainer includes a plurality of retaining segments and a locking segment. The locking segment is positioned between two of the retaining segments to define a first joint and a second joint. The first and second joints are offset a distance from and are substantially parallel to an axis extending through the center of the rotor disk assembly. The retainer may also be provided with means for preventing displacement of the retainer towards the center of the rotor disk assembly.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an internally reinforced high-speed magnetic thrust disk. In one embodiment the internally reinforced composite thrust disk comprises a plurality of high strength fibers coupled together by a soft magnetic alloy. Further, in one aspect the disk having internally reinforced zones for controlling bore growth and counteracting forces associated with the reaction between the stator and the rotor of the electromagnetic thrust bearing system.

Abstract: A high temperature repairable airfoil having a plurality of flow path cover tiles coupled to a single crystal spar member. In one embodiment, the plurality of flow path cover tiles include an attachment portion that is received within a groove formed in the outer surface of the spar. The attachment portion slides into a retaining feature within the groove so as to limit movement of the plurality of flow path cover tiles. Upon rotation of the airfoil, the plurality of flow path cover tiles become centrifugally loaded with a portion of the spar member. In one embodiment, the plurality of flow path cover tiles are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, intermetallic, and thermal barrier coated single crystal alloy material.

Abstract: A high performance hybrid member for use in applications where high stiffness, high temperature capacity and being lightweight are important. In one form of the present invention the hybrid member is formed of a titanium alloy outer portion with a gamma titanium aluminide alloy inner portion metallurgically bonded therin. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy material has a room temperature modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of the titanium alloy outer portion. The hybrid member has a modulus of elasticity greater than modulus of elasticity of the titanium alloy outer portion, and a density equivalent to that of the titanium outer portion. The wear resistant capability of the member can be increased at local regions by surface modification treatment such as plasma ion nitriding or by affixing at ends of the member hardened fittings.

Abstract: An actively cooled component having a plurality of film cooling discharge apertures passing through a heat transfer pedestal. In one embodiment the pedestal is elongated so as to provide good covered turning for the cooling media exiting the cooled component. In one embodiment the discharge aperture has a L/D ratio in the range of about two to three.

Abstract: A cast metallic airfoil structure having a high stiffness core positioned therein for increasing the stiffness of the airfoil. In one embodiment, the high stiffness core is preferably formed of gamma titanium aluminde or a titanium metal matrix composite and is metallurgically bonded to the cast metallic airfoil structure. In one form the airfoil structure forms a portion of an integrally bladed rotor, and in a second form the airfoil structure has a dove tail attachment portion.

Abstract: A fuel spraybar assembly for spraying fuel within a gas turbine engine. The spraybar assembly includes radial and lateral members that distribute fuel within the flowpath. In one embodiment two lateral members are located at the radially inward end of a radial member and generally form a "T" shape. Circumferentially spaced adjacent spraybars subdivide the flowpath into a plurality of circumferential combustion zone segments. In one embodiment the junction of the radial and lateral members provides a flameholding feature that stabilizes the combustion flame. In another embodiment, fuel is introduced non-uniformly within the afterburner resulting in thermal vectoring of the engine thrust.