Patents Assigned to Boeing North America Inc.
  • Patent number: 6253539
    Abstract: A method for using an injector to combust a first fluid and a second fluid comprises a directing the first fluid step and a shrouding step. The directing step comprises directing the first fluid in a central coaxial flow generally perpendicularly through a first fluid passage that extends through an injector faceplate, and into a combustion chamber. In the shrouding step, a length of the central coaxial flow adjacent to the injector faceplate is shrouded with an outer coaxial flow. The shroud is formed by directing a portion of the second fluid through an annular/conical passage in the injector faceplate that surrounds the first fluid passage. The annular/conical passage is arranged such that the outer coaxial flow is directed radially inward and impinges on the central coaxial flow a distance after the central coaxial flow has exited the first fluid passage and after the outer coaxial flow has exited the annular/conical passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Boeing North America Inc.
    Inventors: Shahram Farhangi, James M. McKinnon, Steven C. Fisher, James J. Fang
  • Patent number: 5885004
    Abstract: A foil bearing is used wherein the support for the foils are hydrostatically rather than mechanical spring supported. The bearing housing has a plurality of orifices for admitting hydrostatic fluid over the foils. The foils are then supported by the hydrostatic fluid. The hydrostatic foil bearing is stiffer, longer lasting, and easier to assemble than foil bearings with mechanical spring backings. Hydrostatically supported foil bearings also have variable spring rates depending on the pressure of the hydrostatic fluid, thus allowing the hydrostatic foil bearing to have adjustable capacity with speed. In addition the hydrostatic foil bearing damping between the rotor and housing is greater than foil bearings with mechanical spring backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Boeing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph K. Scharrer, Robert F. Beatty