Abstract: A latch handle is disclosed. The latch handle may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may comprise a high aspect ratio. The second portion may have a width greater than the second portion. A nacelle is disclosed. The nacelle may comprise a first panel and a latch assembly. The latch assembly may include a latch housing and a latch handle. The latch handle may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may comprise an aspect ratio greater than one. The second portion may have a width greater than the width of the first portion. A cut-out configured to accommodate the latch assembly may be disposed on the first panel. The first panel may be a fan cowl panel.

Abstract: An accessory gear box for a gas turbine engine having a drive shaft with a rotational axis and a tower shaft coupled to the drive shaft is provided. The accessory gear box includes a first plurality of gears arranged, which extend along a first axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The accessory gear box includes a second plurality of gears, which extend along a second axis. The accessory gear box includes a first shaft, with one of the first plurality of gears coupled to the first shaft, and one of the second plurality of gears coupled to a second shaft. The one of the second plurality of gears coupled to the first shaft includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, and the second engagement surface is coupled to another one of the second plurality of gears to drive the second shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling the deflection of rotor blades of a wind turbine so as to prevent tower strikes is disclosed. The method includes operating the wind turbine at standard pitch angle settings. Another step includes monitoring a loading condition of the wind turbine over a predetermined time period. A further step includes tracking a number of wind condition deviations of a certain magnitude occurring during a predetermined time period. The method also include altering one or more of the standard pitch settings of the rotor blades in response to the number of wind condition deviations exceeding a wind deviation threshold and/or the loading condition exceeding a loading threshold as an exceedance indicates an increased probability of rotor blade deflection. The method further includes performing one or more additional corrective actions so as to reduce the probability of a rotor blade tower strike.

Abstract: A turbine blade tip shroud (22C, 22D) with a seal rail (32C, 32D) oriented in a circumferential direction of rotation (29) relative to a turbine axis, and extending radially outward from the tip relative to the turbine axis. A first tooth (48, 68) and a second tooth (50, 70) form respective downstream and upstream lateral departures or bumps on the seal rail. Each tooth has a sharp top leading edge (48, 50, 68, 70) and a smoothly curved side surface (49, 51, 69, 71). A back portion (56, 76) of the seal rail may span linearly from a lateral peak (66, 78) of the second tooth to a back end (62) of the seal rail that is centered on an extended centerline (60) of a front portion (54, 74) of the seal rail. The teeth may be disposed proximate or over a stacking axis (52) of the blade.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor disc including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced diskposts and a plurality of dovetail slots. Each dovetail slot is defined between a pair of circumferentially-adjacent diskposts. A plurality of rotor blades are coupled to the rotor disc. Each rotor blade includes a dovetail portion that is configured to slidably engage a respective dovetail slot. A plurality of platform sections are coupled to the rotor disc such that each platform section is adjacent a respective rotor blade. Each platform section includes a diskpost slot that is configured to receive one of the plurality of diskposts such that each dovetail slot receives a respective dovetail portion and at least a portion of at least one of the platform sections adjacent the rotor blade.

Abstract: The bearing system is configured for treating and reacting dynamic loading within a rotor hub of rotorcraft. The bearing system includes an outer member having a plurality of alternating outer elastomeric layers and shim layers. The outer member has an inboard surface configured for bonding to an inboard bearing support, and the outer member has an outboard surface configured for bonding to an outboard bearing support. The bearing system has an inner member bonded to an interior surface of the outer member. The inner member can include a rigid inner core, as well as a plurality of elastomeric layers and shim layers configured to react torsional movements of the rotor blade.

Abstract: Various air deflector shapes, sizes and configurations for use in a load compensating device on an airfoil are provided. The air deflector arrangements are configured to alter the airflow around the air deflector in order to affect sound or acoustics associated with the air deflector when deployed during operation. Some example configurations that may alter the air flow around the air deflector include air deflectors having a plurality of apertures, air deflectors including a scalloped edge, and/or air deflectors including a plurality of protrusions extending from a portion of the air deflector.

Abstract: A row of aerofoil members for an axial compressor, the row comprises a circumferentially extending endwall and a plurality of aerofoils extending radially from the endwall. The endwall is profiled to include an acceleration region and a deceleration region in a location that corresponds to a position of peak fluid pressure. The acceleration region is provided upstream of the deceleration region such that fluid flow through the compressor and adjacent the endwall is accelerated and then decelerated so as to reduce the peak fluid pressure.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a duct, through a stationary housing, of a shaft which rotates about an axis is provided, wherein a sealing liquid is used for sealing instead of sealing steam. The sealing arrangement includes a seal, having a vapor steam extraction system, and a feed line, which is arranged between the inner space and the vapor steam extraction system and is designed for supplying a sealing liquid, wherein a labyrinth seal, a brush seal with metallic bristles, a brush seal with bristles made of natural fibers and/or a brush seal made of synthetic fibers is provided for sealing off with respect to the inner space and the vapor steam extraction system.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for use in sealingly connecting a first fluid flow path to a second fluid flow path. The coupling apparatus includes a rigid fluid flow channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the fluid flow channel is substantially rigid in an axial direction and a radial direction, a first sealing terminus that is rigidly connected to the first end and that is configured for sealing with the first fluid flow path, and a second sealing terminus that is slidingly disposed about the second end such that the second sealing terminus is configured for relative movement with respect to the second end, and wherein the second sealing terminus is further configured for sealing with the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an axial high pressure compressor includes a rear hub disposed aft of an aft rotor segment. The rear hub includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a sealing face, wherein the sealing face is sealingly engaged with the aft rotor segment, and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channels are configured to delivery air to contact the inner surface of the rear hub.

Abstract: An aircraft engine annular shroud includes, on its internal surface, a peripheral annular groove able to accept a plurality of blade roots; an insertion opening for inserting the blade roots into the annular groove; and a closure device for closing off the insertion opening.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade is provided for a turbine section of an engine. The turbine rotor blade includes a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform into a mainstream gas path of the turbine section. The airfoil includes a first side wall; a second side wall joined to the first side wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge; a tip cap extending between the first side wall and the second side wall; a first parapet wall extending from the first side wall; and a first cooling hole through the tip cap and the first parapet wall configured to deliver cooling air. The first cooling hole has a closed channel section and an open channel section. The open channel section forms a slot.

Abstract: A small aircraft such as a UAV having a gas turbine engine with the outer bypass elements removed from the engine, and where the airframe is modified to form the bypass duct and exhaust nozzle for the fan produced bypass flow of the engine in order to reduce weight, size and cost of the small aircraft. The outer casing and the exhaust nozzle is removed from the engine and optimally integrated into the airframe structure.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade is provided with for a turbine section of an engine that includes a shroud surrounding the rotor blade. The rotor blade includes a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform into a mainstream gas path. The airfoil includes a pressure side wall, a suction side wall joined to the pressure side wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge, a tip cap extending between the suction side wall and the pressure side wall, a first squealer tip extension extending from the pressure side wall at a first angle relative to the pressure side wall, the first squealer tip extension defining a first cooling hole that converges between an inlet and an outlet; an internal cooling circuit configured to deliver cooling air to a gap between the pressure side squealer tip extension and the shroud via the first cooling hole.

Abstract: An aircraft nacelle comprising a first and a second cowl mounted pivotably about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle and lockable to one another by at least one locking mechanism. The nacelle further comprises a device for providing a visual warning of a locking defect of the cowls. The device comprises a movable bolt associated with the locking mechanism and a movable edge plate mounted on the nacelle in line with said bolt with which it is associated, the movable edge plate being movable under the action of an operator between a protruding position, in which the edge plate is protruding from the nacelle and a locking mechanism is in an unlocked position, and a retracted position, in which the edge plate is immobilized within the nacelle by the bolt and the action of the locking of a locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating wind energy harvesting apparatus for offshore installation, comprising an elongated wind turbine body extending along a longitudinal wind turbine body axis, said wind turbine body comprising a lower body portion and an upper body portion; wind turbine blades attached to the upper body portion; at least a first cavity inside said wind turbine body and arranged within a first radial distance from said longitudinal wind turbine body axis; at least a second cavity arranged within a second radial distance, greater than said first radial distance, from said longitudinal wind turbine body axis; at least a first pump for pumping water from said first cavity to said second cavity; and an energy converter attached to said wind turbine body for converting the rotation of said wind turbine body to electrical energy.

Abstract: An air turbine start system is provided that includes an air turbine starter, a starter air valve, a turbine speed sensor, and a circuit. The starter air valve is movable between an open position, in which the pressurized air may flow into the air turbine starter, and a closed position, in which pressurized air does not flow into the air turbine starter. The turbine speed sensor is coupled to the air turbine starter, and is configured to sense the rotational speed of the turbine and supply a rotational speed signal representative thereof. The circuit is coupled to receive the rotational speed signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to determine whether the starter air valve is in the closed position or an open position.

Abstract: An aircraft turbojet engine nacelle comprising an air intake assembly of substantially annular shape, the air intake assembly comprising an external wall and an internal wall which are connected to one another upstream by an air intake lip and downstream by an annular rear structure. The annular rear structure comprises, arranged concentrically, one or more monolithic panels forming a first annular zone and comprising one or more hollow casings forming at least a second annular zone, and at least one connecting ring which provides the connection with at least one of the external and internal walls. The annular rear structure thus has increased structural mechanical strength.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine may generally include operating the wind turbine at an initial power output that is greater than a rated power output associated with the wind turbine. The wind turbine may have an anticipated operational life at the rated power output. In addition, the method may include decreasing a power output of the wind turbine over time in order to maintain an actual operating life of the wind turbine substantially equal to or greater than the anticipated operational life. A final power output of the wind turbine at an end of the anticipated operating life may be less than the rated power output.