Abstract: A guide vane within an annular inlet duct of a gas-turbine engine provides for generating swirl within an annular inlet duct so as to provide for reducing the rate of deceleration of the inlet air flow within the annular inlet duct while providing for diffusion of the meridional component of velocity thereof.

Abstract: A rotational position of a variable-vane of a variable-vane turbine nozzle upstream of a turbine of a gas-turbine engine is biased towards a corresponding rotational position that will mitigate against an overspeed condition of the turbine during operation of the gas-turbine engine. When the turbine is operating at a rotational speed that is less than an overspeed threshold, the rotational position of the variable-vane is controlled independently of the biasing using a variable-vane actuator operatively coupled to the variable-vane. Responsive to a rotational speed of the turbine in excess of the overspeed threshold, the variable-vane actuator is operatively decoupled from the variable-vane so as to provide for the variable-vane to be repositioned towards the corresponding rotational position that will mitigate against the overspeed condition.

Abstract: A powerplant and a generator of an external auxiliary power unit (APU) are located within a nacelle that is mountable to a hardpoint of an aircraft via an associated a hardpoint attachment interface that provides for releasably coupling the external APU thereto, and provides for coupling a fuel supply of the aircraft to run the powerplant, and coupling electrical power from the external APU either to, or external of, the aircraft. The external auxiliary power unit (APU) incorporates a particulate filter in series with the inlet air flow to the powerplant.

Abstract: Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (fGENERATOR) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (fMOTOR) of the multi-phase induction motor.

Abstract: Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (fGENERATOR) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (fMOTOR) of the multi-phase induction motor.

Abstract: A sacrificial outer sleeve of a self-eroding single-use gas-turbine-engine igniter contains a main pyrotechnic composition and an initiator embedded therein proximate to a distal portion of the sacrificial outer sleeve. The sacrificial outer sleeve extends within a combustion chamber of the gas-turbine engine when operatively coupled thereto so as to provide for igniting a fuel/air mixture therein. The sacrificial outer sleeve is constructed of a material that is consumable either responsive to combustion of the main pyrotechnic composition responsive to activation of the initiator responsive to an actuation signal communicated via an associated signal conduit, or, responsive to a subsequent operation of said gas-turbine engine to which the igniter is operatively coupled, when operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance stator system for use with a radial-flux rotor of a permanent-magnet generator incorporates radially-oriented stator teeth uniformly circumferentially distributed around a central axis, and at least one moveable magnetically-permeable element in magnetic communication with at least one pair of adjacent stator teeth. Radially-inboard edges of the stator teeth are located outside a cylindrical boundary centered about the central axis and configured to receive the radial-flux rotor. Each moveable magnetically-permeable element is axially positionable relative to the stator teeth along an associated positioning axis substantially parallel to the central axis, so as to provide for linking magnetic flux between the pair of adjacent stator teeth via the moveable magnetically-permeable element.

Abstract: A shrouded bladed-rotor for use as a rotor of an electrical generator incorporates a plurality of blades and an annular magnetically-permeable yoke concentric with an associated axis of revolution. An even-numbered plurality of permanent magnets are operatively coupled to an outer surface of the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke, the latter of which comprises either a shroud of the shrouded bladed-rotor or a ring of magnetically-permeable material encircling the shroud. The North-South axis of each permanent magnet is substantially radially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation, and North-South orientations of every pair of circumferentially-adjacent permanent magnets of the plurality of permanent magnets are opposite to one another. A non-magnetic magnet-retaining-ring encircling the plurality of permanent magnets has sufficient hoop strength to retain the plurality of permanent magnets on the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke during intended operation of the electrical generator.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures and at least one fluidic diode element. A branch inlet portion of at least one collector-inlet interface structure, in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion, provides for receiving exhaust gases from a corresponding separate exhaust port of an intermittent-combustion internal combustion engine. A main inlet portion of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector. The branch inlet portion is in fluid communication with the outlet portion via a collector inlet port that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction with the fluid conduit of the collector.

Abstract: A first actuator provides for rotating—responsive to a first actuator—a coupler subassembly about a first rotational axis defined by at least one first pivot axis. The coupler subassembly incorporates a plurality of link-coupler portions and one or more second actuators, wherein each second actuator is operative on at least one link-coupler portion of a corresponding pair of link-coupler portions so as to provide for a relative motion of at least one link-coupler portion that is either additive to, or subtractive from, the corresponding motion responsive to the first actuator.

Abstract: A sacrificial outer sleeve of a self-eroding single-use gas-turbine-engine igniter contains a main pyrotechnic composition and an initiator embedded therein proximate to a distal portion of the sacrificial outer sleeve. The sacrificial outer sleeve extends within a combustion chamber of the gas-turbine engine when operatively coupled thereto so as to provide for igniting a fuel/air mixture therein. The sacrificial outer sleeve is constructed of a material that is consumable either responsive to combustion of the main pyrotechnic composition responsive to activation of the initiator responsive to an actuation signal communicated via an associated signal conduit, or, responsive to a subsequent operation of said gas-turbine engine to which the igniter is operatively coupled, when operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A diffuser (10) comprises first (10.1) and second (10.2) annular portions bounded by forward (32) and aft (26) annular walls, wherein the first annular portion (10.1) is vaneless and radially within the second annular portion (10.2), and the second annular portion (10.2) is radially relatively compact and incorporates a plurality of vanes (48) with relatively high solidity, wherein the forward (32) or/and aft (26) annular walls is/are sloped so as to provide for meridional divergence within the second annular portion (10.2) of the diffuser (10), and the vanes (48) are shaped so as to substantially conform to the flow field within the second annular portion (10.2).

Abstract: An integrally-formed metal-casting mold loaded with a solid-metal ingot in an ingot-cup portion thereof is heated in a furnace under vacuum to a temperature sufficient to melt the solid-metal ingot. The ingot-cup portion is operatively coupled to a component-mold portion of the mold via a funnel portion thereof, either directly or through a riser portion operatively coupled to a base of the component-mold portion, which provides for feeding molten metal melted from the ingot to cast a part in the component-mold portion. Molten metal in excess of what is needed to cast the part flows either into the riser portion, or into a fluid conduit that extends above the component-mold portion. The molten metal may be fed to the component-mold portion through a molten-metal filter to reduce flow rate or remove contaminants. The mold may be formed either as an investment mold or directly by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A magnetic core is assembled from a plurality of electrical-steel laminations staked together by respective plug and socket portions of respective adjacent interlocks at locations that experience relatively-low magnetic flux density rate. An electrically-insulating-coating is placed on abutting lamination surfaces either before or after blanking the laminations, or after partially piercing the interlocks, prior to stacking and pressing the laminations together to form the magnetic core. The magnetic core is annealed in a non-oxidizing environment at a first temperature for a first period of time, and then cooled to a second temperature at a controlled rate of cooling. The first temperature is sufficiently high to prospectively cause fusion between adjacent laminations if not protected by the electrically-insulating-coating.

Abstract: A shrouded bladed-rotor for use as a rotor of an electrical generator incorporates a plurality of blades and an annular magnetically-permeable yoke concentric with an associated axis of revolution. An even-numbered plurality of permanent magnets are operatively coupled to an outer surface of the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke, the latter of which comprises either a shroud of the shrouded bladed-rotor or a ring of magnetically-permeable material encircling the shroud. The North-South axis of each permanent magnet is substantially radially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation, and North-South orientations of every pair of circumferentially-adjacent permanent magnets of the plurality of permanent magnets are opposite to one another. A non-magnetic magnet-retaining-ring encircling the plurality of permanent magnets has sufficient hoop strength to retain the plurality of permanent magnets on the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke during intended operation of the electrical generator.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance stator system for use with a radial-flux rotor of a permanent-magnet generator incorporates radially-oriented stator teeth uniformly circumferentially distributed around a central axis, and at least one moveable magnetically-permeable element in magnetic communication with at least one pair of adjacent stator teeth. Radially-inboard edges of the stator teeth are located outside a cylindrical boundary centered about the central axis and configured to receive the radial-flux rotor. Each moveable magnetically-permeable element is axially positionable relative to the stator teeth along an associated positioning axis substantially parallel to the central axis, so as to provide for linking magnetic flux between the pair of adjacent stator teeth via the moveable magnetically-permeable element.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures and at least one fluidic diode element. A branch inlet portion of at least one collector-inlet interface structure, in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion, provides for receiving exhaust gases from a corresponding separate exhaust port of an intermittent-combustion internal combustion engine. A main inlet portion of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector. The branch inlet portion is in fluid communication with the outlet portion via a collector inlet port that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction with the fluid conduit of the collector.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b) spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?) and at least one fluidic diode element (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26?, 26?). A branch inlet portion (20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 20.3??) of at least one collector-inlet interface structure (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?), in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion (14, 14.x), provides for receiving fluid from a source of fluid (12). A main inlet portion (20.x?) of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion (20.x?) thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b). The branch inlet portion (20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 20.3??) is in fluid communication with the outlet portion (20.x?) via a collector inlet port (56?, 106) that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction (60) with the fluid conduit of the collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b).

Abstract: Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (fGENERATOR) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (fMOTOR) of the multi-phase induction motor.

Abstract: Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (fGENERATOR) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (fMOTOR) of the multi-phase induction motor.