Abstract: At least one controller manages a gas turbine engine driving a generator directly or indirectly coupled to the engine. The controller is programmed to automatically determine and adjust inputs to the gas turbine engine in order to cause the generator to produce a user-specified electrical output. Multiple sets of generator, engine, and controller may be used, in which case a master controller individually manages the other controllers to collectively provide the a user-specified electrical output.

Abstract: A low calorific value fuel-fired can combustor for a gas turbine include a generally cylindrical housing, and a generally cylindrical liner disposed coaxially within the housing to define with the housing a radial outer flow passage for combustion air, the liner also defining inner primary and intermediate regions of a combustion zone and a dilution zone, the dilution zone being axially distant a closed housing end relative to the combustion zone. A nozzle assembly disposed at the closed housing end includes an air blast nozzle and surrounding swirl vanes. An impingement cooling sleeve coaxially disposed in the combustion air passage between the housing and the liner impingement cools the portion of the liner defining the combustion zone. A portion of the combustor air is introduced directly into the intermediate region.

Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a combustor section having one or more combustors configured to generate combustion products, a turbine section having one or more turbine stages between an upstream end and a downstream end, an exhaust section disposed downstream from the downstream end of the turbine section, and a fluid supply system coupled to the exhaust section. The one or more turbine stages are driven by the combustion products. The exhaust section has an exhaust passage configured to receive the combustion products as an exhaust gas. The fluid supply system is configured to route a cooling gas to the exhaust section. The cooling gas has a temperature lower than the exhaust gas. The cooling gas includes an extracted exhaust gas, a gas separated from the extracted exhaust gas, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A thrust reverser of a nacelle for a turbofan engine has a translating structure and a blocker door device capable of diverting a bypass flowpath for reversing propulsion direction. The translating structure moves axially between a forward position and a rearward position and thereby drives a compound motion of a blocker door of the blocker door device that moves between respective stowed and deployed states. A lock mechanism of the thrust reverser may be utilized in combination with a link-less linkage and is orientated between the blocker door and a stationary member that may include vanes that divert bypass flow.

Abstract: An engine system for starting a gas turbine engine includes a starter coupled to the gas turbine engine and configured to provide torque to the gas turbine engine; and a controller coupled to the starter and configured to evaluate an engine system parameter and to select from a plurality of start modes for starting the gas turbine engine based on the engine system parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a bulk flame temperature in a dry low emission (DLE) engine are provided. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method may include measuring an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and determining a target EGT. The target EGT is determined based at least in part on a compressor bleed air flow percentage and a combustor burning mode. The method may include calculating a bias based at least in part on the EGT and the target EGT and applying the bias to a bulk flame temperature schedule. The method may include regulating one or more staging valves and compressor bleeds of the DLE engine based at least in part on the bulk flame temperature schedule. The bulk flame temperature schedule is mapped to parameters of the staging valves and compressor bleeds to reduce nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide emissions.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx emissions in the exhaust of a combined cycle gas turbine equipped with a heat recovery boiler and a catalyst effective for NOx reduction, wherein a slip stream of hot flowing exhaust gases is withdrawn from the primary gas flow after the catalyst at a temperature of 500° F. to 900° F. and directed through a fan to a continuous duct into which an aqueous based reagent is injected for decomposition to ammonia gas and the outlet of the continuous duct is connected to an injection grid positioned in the primary exhaust for injection of ammonia gas into the primary exhaust stream at a location upstream of the catalyst.

Abstract: An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.

Abstract: A system for managing thermal transfer in an aircraft includes a fuel stabilization unit, a fuel-air heat exchanger, and a turbine. The fuel-air heat exchanger is located downstream from the fuel stabilization unit. The fuel-air heat exchanger places deoxygenized fuel in a heat exchange relationship with compressor bleed air to produce heated deoxygenized fuel and cooled bleed air. The turbine is operationally connected to the engine compressor and receives cooled bleed air from the fuel-air heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for retaining a fuel nozzle premix tube includes a retention plate and a premix tube which extends downstream from an outlet of a premix passage defined along an aft side of a fuel plenum body. The premix tube includes an inlet end and a spring support feature which is disposed proximate to the inlet end. The premix tube extends through the retention plate. The spring retention feature is disposed between an aft side of the fuel plenum and the retention plate. The system further includes a spring which extends between the spring retention feature and the retention plate.

Abstract: Disclosed aircraft and turbofan engines have an active configuration (corresponding to flight, etc.) and an idle configuration (corresponding to ground idle). Turbofan engines comprise a core engine, a nacelle, a bypass duct therebetween, and a bypass splitter shell that extends at least partially between the nacelle and the core engine to define peripheral and interstitial bypass ducts. Bypass flow in the bypass duct splits into peripheral bypass flow and interstitial bypass flow. The relatively cool, slow interstitial bypass flow is directed into relatively hot, fast core exhaust flow from the core engine and into a mixed exhaust duct at least partially defined by the bypass splitter shell. The bypass splitter shell may be selectively positioned to increase (in the idle configuration) or to decrease (in the active configuration) the relative flow of the interstitial bypass flow, thereby cooling and/or slowing the mixed exhaust flow in the idle configuration.

Abstract: An aircraft control structure for drag management includes a nozzle structure configured to exhaust a swirling fluid stream. A plurality of swirl vanes are positioned within the nozzle structure, and an actuation subsystem is configured to cause the plurality of swirl vanes to move from a deployed state to a non-deployed state. In the non-deployed state, the plurality of swirl vanes are substantially flush with the inner surface of the nozzle structure. In the deployed state, the plurality of swirl vanes produce the swirling fluid stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power plant for generating electrical power having a burner unit, wherein thermal energy can be produced by burning a fuel, a turbine unit, wherein a rotational movement can be produced with the thermal energy, and a generator unit which is driven by the rotational movement to generate electrical power. The power plant is characterized according to the invention in that in order to produce the thermal energy, in addition to the burner unit, an electric heating unit is provided, through which electrical energy can be converted into thermal energy to drive the turbine unit. In addition the invention relates to a method for generating electrical power.

Abstract: An axial swirler, in particular for premixing of oxidizer and fuel in gas turbines, includes a series of swirl vanes with a streamline cross-section. Each swirl vane has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a suction side and a pressure side extending each between the leading and trailing edges. The swirl vanes are arranged around a swirler axis, wherein the leading edges extend essentially in radial direction. Flow slots are formed between the suction side of each swirl vane and the pressure side of its nearest neighboring swirl vane. Furthermore, at least one swirl vane has a discharge flow angle between a tangent to its camber line at its trailing edge and the swirler axis that is monotonically increasing with increasing radial distance from the swirler axis. The invention also relates to a burner with such a swirler and a method of operating the burner.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring system is created with a convergent-divergent nozzle having a total angle no greater than 150 degrees. A divergent portion of the nozzle has a wall at a predetermined angle of at least 12° from the freestream direction. A disturbance generator is located on the wall to induce flow separation from the wall with the predetermined wall angle sufficient for the induced flow separation to extend upstream from disturbance generator substantially to a throat of the nozzle pressurizing the wall and creating a net vector angle in jet flow through the nozzle.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement is provided for a gas turbine engine with a turbine section. The cooling arrangement includes a first conduit to receive cooling air that includes particles; a separator system coupled to the first conduit to receive the cooling air and configured to remove at least a portion of the particles to result in relatively clean cooling air and scavenge air including the portion of the particles; and a second conduit coupled to the separator system and configured to direct the relatively clean cooling air to the turbine section.

Abstract: A flow vectoring turbofan engine employs a fixed geometry fan sleeve and core cowl forming a nozzle incorporating an asymmetric convergent/divergent (con-di) and/or curvature section which varies angularly from a midplane for reduced pressure in a first operating condition to induce flow turning and axially symmetric equal pressure in a second operating condition for substantially axial flow.

Abstract: An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion system including a mixing duct that separates into at least two branch passages for the delivery of a fuel and working fluid to distinct locations within a combustion chamber. The residence time for the fuel and working fluid within each of the two branch passages is distinct.

Abstract: A rocket engine feed system, includes a feed circuit including a device for varying a gas volume in the feed circuit to suppress the POGO effect. A method of suppressing the POGO effect varies at least one hydraulic resonant frequency by varying a rate at which gas is injected into the feed circuit.