Patents Assigned to S.N.E.A.
  • Patent number: 6050522
    Abstract: A thrust reverser is disclosed for a high bypass ratio turbofan jet engine having a fan cowling forming an outer boundary of an airflow duct and a jet engine structure including a jet engine cowling. The thrust reverser has a casing affixed to the jet engine structure, the casing having a plurality of attaching yokes. A first thrust reverser flap is pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the attaching yokes and is located rearwardly of an exit of the airflow duct, each first thrust reverser flap having a distal end and being movable between a forward thrust position, and a reverse thrust position. A second thrust reverser flap is pivotally connected to the distal end of a corresponding one of the first thrust reverser flaps and is also movable between a forward thrust position, and a reverse thrust position, wherein the second thrust reverser flaps also redirect air flow emanating from the air flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)
    Inventors: Pascal Noel Brossier, Philippe Jean-Pierre Pabion
  • Patent number: 6035645
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed for a gas turbine engine having a fuel injector issuing a primary fuel flow during all operating modes of the gas turbine engine and a secondary fuel flow when operating parameters of the gas turbine engine exceed predetermined values. The fuel injection system includes a first air swirler, a second air swirler located rearwardly of the first air swirler and a venturi having a wall with a converging-diverging inner wall surface forming a venturi throat, the venturi being located such that the wall separates first and second air flows issuing from the first and second air swirlers and such that the primary fuel flow emanating from the fuel injector in a conical configuration does not impact against the inner wall surface of the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Societe National D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Mehdi Bensaadi, Michel Andre Albert Desaulty, Sebastien Pierre Jean Pitrou, Pierre Marie Victor Emile Schroer
  • Patent number: 6029455
    Abstract: A combustion chamber is disclosed for a turbojet engine in which the combustion chamber has a forward intake, a rear exit and a perforated casing extending between the intake and exit. The combustion chamber also has at least two rows of insulating tiles arrayed on the casing in forward and rear rows with both rows extending circumferentially around the inner surface of the casing bounding the combustion chamber. Each rear tile has a forward edge portion with a sloping wall and each forward tile has a tapered rear edge portion overlapping the forward edge portion with a clearance therebetween such that the tampered rear edge portion and the sloping wall bound a slot opening into the combustion chamber and slanting towards the rear of the combustion chamber to facilitate the formation of an air cooling film on inner surfaces of the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventor: Denis Sandelis
  • Patent number: 6017189
    Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed for cooling the platforms of turbine blades fixed to the periphery of a turbine rotor, each turbine blade having an airfoil portion, a platform with opposite longitudinal edges, a root portion affixed to the turbine rotor, and a shank portion connecting the root portion to the platform. Adjacent turbine blades are located such that a longitudinal edge of one platform is adjacent to a longitudinal edge of an adjacent platform. A cavity is formed bounded by a portion of the periphery of the turbine rotor, the shank portions of the adjacent turbine blades, and the platforms of the adjacent turbine blades. A cooling air passage supplies cooling air to the cavity. One or more cooling channels are formed in a side of the platform facing the turbine rotor, each cooling channel having a cooling air collector at an end located adjacent to the air supply passage and communicating with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Societe National D'Etede et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)
    Inventors: Maurice Judet, Marc Roger Marchi
  • Patent number: 5829244
    Abstract: A burner is disclosed for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine having a fuel injector mounted in an end of the combustion chamber for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, the fuel injector having an associated air swirler for feeding primary air into the combustion chamber to mix with the fuel, and at least one fuel feed tube for supplying fuel, with an end of the fuel feed tube spaced from the fuel injector nozzle. A control member for controlling the amount of air entering the air swirler is located between the fuel injector nozzle and the end of the fuel feed tube, the control member having a passage to pass fuel from the fuel feed tube to the fuel injector nozzle. The control member is attached to the end of the fuel feed tube by an elastic bellows having a cross-sectional dimension D1 and to the fuel injector nozzle by a second elastic bellows having a cross-sectional dimension D2 such that D2>D1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Natiional D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)
    Inventors: Patrick Samuel Andre Ciccia, Michel Francois Le Texier
  • Patent number: 5803433
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting the forces exerted by a helical coil spring on relatively movable elements is disclosed in which a movable element is movably mounted within a casing so as to move along a movement axis, in which a helical coil spring is interposed between the casing and the movable element so as to exert opposite forces on the casing and the movable element. The lateral forces and the torque forces on the movable element are eliminated by using a swivel joint interposed between the piston and one end of the helical coil spring. The use of the swivel element insures that the force exerted on the movable element by the helical coil spring is coincident with the movement axis of the movable element. A second swivel joint may be utilized between the second end of the helical coil spring and the casing, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Brocard, Christian Lacour, Michel Marie Andre Albert Lechevalier
  • Patent number: 5755092
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle mixer for a turbojet engine is disclosed having a multi-lobed shroud extending from the exhaust nozzle of the turbojet engine, the shroud having a plurality of radially oriented lobes forming a plurality of gas mixing channels, each having a first cross-section in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the engine, as well as a flared lobe having a greater circumferential width than the remainder of the lobes to accommodate the engine mounting pylon. A baffle member extends radially inwardly from the mounting pylon toward the longitudinal axis of the engine such that the baffle extends into the flared lobe to form a plurality of cross-sections, each of such cross-sections being generally equal to each of remainder of the cross-sections of the multi-lobed shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A)
    Inventors: Bruno Filbert Dessale, Jean-Luc Gerard Duparcq, Hugues Denis Joubert
  • Patent number: 5713207
    Abstract: A wall is disclosed for a gas turbine engine combustion chamber having a generally annular configuration around a central axis wherein the wall has an inner surface bounding at least a portion of the combustion chamber and a plurality of rows of cooling openings, each cooling opening having an elongated, generally rectangular configuration with a length l and a width e such that l is greater than e, the cooling openings in each row being equidistantly spaced apart a distance d in which d is not greater than the length l. The cooling openings of a given row are circumferentially displaced from cooling openings of an adjacent row and, since the distance d is not greater than the length l of the cooling openings, the opening areas overlap in adjacent rows to provide an even distribution of the cooling film within the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe National D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Denis Roger Henri Ansart, Jean-Claude Marcel Boudot, Thierry Andre Jacques Chevalier, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 5700130
    Abstract: This device embodies a centrifugal compressor secured to a joint-carrier disk secured to an upstream flange of the rotor disk to be cooled. The recompressed air is ejected through channels near the roots of the blades of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Societe National d'Etude et de Construction de Moterus d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Andre M. Barbot, Jacques E. J. Caruel, Marcel R. Soligny
  • Patent number: 5676312
    Abstract: A variable geometry exhaust nozzle is disclosed in which the follower flaps of the first, upstream ring of flaps and the second, downstream ring of flaps have a seal to seal the gap between the upstream and downstream follower flaps throughout the range of movement of the variable nozzle flaps. The sealing device has a plate extending between the downstream edge portion of an upstream follower flap and the upstream edge portion of a downstream follower flap and across the entire circumferential width of the flaps. The plate has an upstream portion pivotally connected with the downstream edge portion of the upstream follower flap and a downstream portion which has a bead pivotally contacting an inner surface of the upstream edge portion of a downstream follower flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Societe National d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)
    Inventors: Guy jean-Louis Lapergue, Claude Lejars
  • Patent number: 5651252
    Abstract: A fuel injection assembly for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is disclosed in which a plurality of premixing chambers are in communication with the combustion chamber and adjacent pairs of the premixing chambers are connected to a single prevapoization chamber by prevaporization conduits. Fuel is injected into the prevaporization chamber via a fuel injector and is mixed with oxidizer passing into the prevaporization chamber such that the fuel/oxidizer mixture has a richness exceeding the stoichiometric ratio. The fuel/oxidizer mixture passes into the prevaporization conduits through a diaphragm opening and, upon entering the premixing chamber, is mixed with additional oxidizer such that the fuel/oxidizer mixture in each premixing chamber has a richness less than the stoichiometric ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Denis Roger Henri Ansart, Patrice Andre Commaret, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 5642621
    Abstract: An improved dual-head combustion chamber is disclosed having a generally annular configuration extending about a central axis with a low power head, operating during low power engine conditions and a radially displaced high power head operative under high power engine operating conditions. The low power head has N number of fuel/air injector assemblies arranged in an annular array and spaced apart in a circumferential direction about the central axis. The fuel/air injector assemblies of the low power head have an air permeability of P1. The high power head also is arranged in a generally annular array with N number of first fuel/air injector assemblies and N number of second fuel/air injector assemblies with each of the second fuel/air injector assemblies aligned with a fuel/air injector assembly of the low power head along a radius line extending from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Socoiete Nationale D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Daniel Alary, Denis Roger Henri Ansart, Yves Francois Andre Salan, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 5634328
    Abstract: A method of supplying fuel to a combustion chamber of a turbojet engine having a low power head with a plurality of low power fuel injectors and a high power head having a plurality of high power fuel injectors is disclosed in which fuel is supplied to the plurality of low power fuel injectors during low power operation of the engine, fuel is supplied to a first fuel circuit in the plurality of high power fuel injectors during high power operation of the turbojet engine and fuel is also supplied to a second fuel circuit in the plurality of high power fuel injectors during low power operation of the turbojet engine, the second fuel circuit being separate from the first fuel circuit. This method of supplying fuel to the dual head combustion chamber optimizes operation of the combustion chamber in all modes of engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Denis R. H. Ansart, Bruno M. Quinqueneau, Denis J. M. Sandelis
  • Patent number: 5615547
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for regulating oil and fuel temperatures in a turbojet engine having an engine accessory driven at constant speed by a power transmission which is driven by the turbojet engine. The system has a first closed oil circuit for circulating oil through the turbojet engine, a second closed oil circuit for circulating oil through the power transmission, a fuel circuit for supplying fuel to the turbojet engine, an air/oil heat exchanger connected to the first closed oil circuit to pass oil in heat exchange relationship with air, an oil/fuel heat exchanger connected to the fuel circuit and to the first closed oil circuit downstream of the air/oil heat exchanger to pass oil and fuel in heat exchange relationship, and an oil/oil heat exchanger connected to the first and second closed oil circuits to pass oil in heat exchange relationship, the connection to the first closed oil circuit being downstream of the oil/fuel heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Bruno A. Beutin, Joel Creti, Jean-Pierre Donnadieu, Francis G. A. Garnier, Michel G. Hugues, Jean-Loic H. Lecordix, Claude P. H. Maignan, Gilles C. G. Massot, Jean-Marie N. Pincemin, Christophe J. F. Thorel, Carole C. Touron, Gerard M. R. M. Vennin
  • Patent number: 5611389
    Abstract: The method for the fabrication of a crystalline blade comprised of two shoulders enclosing an airfoil form which comprises arranging the shells of a mold in a manner such that the shoulders are parallel to the plane of a grain selection baffle that empties into a junction that moves the grain to the two shoulders, and feeding the mold through gates at the upper ends of the shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moterus D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Martial G. Alessandri, Jean-Marc Theret
  • Patent number: 5611489
    Abstract: An actuating system for a variable area exhaust nozzle is disclosed having inner and outer flaps pivotally connected to an airframe whose positions may be varied by a single set of control cylinders. The control cylinders have a case in which is slidably mounted a pair of pistons, each having piston rods extending from one side, which piston rods extend through one end of the cylinder case. The piston rods may be arranged coaxially to minimize the bulk of the actuating cylinder. One of the piston rods is connected to the inner flaps, while the other of the piston rods is connected to the outer flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Yves R. J. Berneuil, Christian W. B. Bettremieux, Daniel G. A. Kettler, Michel M. A. A. Lechevalier, Xavier J. Pasquali, Jean-Marie N. Pincemin
  • Patent number: 5599170
    Abstract: A seal for sealing the gaps between adjacent turbine blade structures is disclosed in which the seal is disposed in a compartment formed between adjacent turbine blade structures having first and second sealing surfaces adjacent to a generally axially extending gap and a generally radially extending gap, respectively. The seal also has a thrust surface extending obliquely to a radius from the axis of rotation of the rotor disk to which the turbine blade structures are attached which is engaged with a reaction surface formed on a reaction member located in the compartment. During rotation of the rotor disk, centrifugal force acting in a radially outward direction is transmitted both radially and axially to a seal by contact between the reaction surface and the oblique thrust surface to cause the first sealing surface to seal the generally axially extending gap and the second sealing surface to seal the generally radially extending gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Marc R. Marchi, Jean-Claude C. Taillant
  • Patent number: 5598697
    Abstract: A wall structure for a wall bounding a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is disclosed having a first wall with an inner surface facing towards the interior of the combustion chamber and an outer surface facing away from the interior of the combustion chamber such that the inner surface forms a boundary of the combustion chamber and the outer surface has a surface roughness to prevent the formation of a fluid flow cooling layer which would cool the outer surface. The invention also has a second wall spaced from the outer surface of the first wall in a direction away from the interior of the combustion chamber so as to define a cooling fluid circulatory space between the first and second walls. A plurality of first perforations extend through the first wall in communication with the cooling fluid circulatory space to enable passage of cooling fluid from the space through the first perforations to form a cooling fluid film on the inner surface of the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Christine J. M. Ambrogi, Denis R. H. Ansart, Serge M. Meunier, Denis J. M. Sandelis
  • Patent number: 5595138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting operational anomalies in a pressurized fluid circuit having a main pump, a fluid filter and a booster pump connected in series. The apparatus has an indicating detector to provide an indication of a system malfunction and a switching device connected to the indicating detector, as well as to various points in the pressurized fluid circuit, to enable the indicating detector to detect a malfunction in either the booster pump or the filter. The switching device has pressurized fluid inlets connected to a point upstream of the booster pump, a point between the booster pump and the filter inlet and to a point between the filter outlet and the inlet of the main, high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventor: Pierre J. E. Claret
  • Patent number: 5592820
    Abstract: A diffuser for a turbojet engine is disclosed in which a plurality of diffuser inlets are arranged in a substantially circular array bounded by inner and outer diffuser walls and by a plurality of partitions extending generally radially from the axis of the annular diffuser. The plurality of diffuser inlets are located so as to receive air or oxidizer from the turbojet engine compressor and the radial partitions may be integrated into the compressor guide vanes. The diffuser has a plurality of sets of diffuser outlets, each set comprising a plurality of diffuser outlets arranged in a circular array about the central axis of the diffuser. The radius of each set of diffuser outlets is different from the radius of each of the other sets of diffuser outlets such that the entirety of diffuser outlets comprise a non-circular array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Societe National D'Etdue et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A
    Inventors: Jean-Paul D. Alary, Michel Desaulty, Denis J. M. Sandelis, Pierre Schroer