Abstract: A center plug is configured for variable area use in an exhaust nozzle. A forward portion of the plug includes an inlet having a closing flap therein, and an aft portion of the plug includes an outlet. The flap is selectively open during aircraft takeoff operation and up to a preset climb altitude for bypassing a portion of core exhaust flow through the plug, with the flap being closed from preset altitude and cruise operation. Opening the flap correspondingly increases the available flow area for discharging the exhaust flow for reducing velocity thereof, and attenuating noise.

Abstract: A turbofan exhaust nozzle includes a fan duct defined between a fan nacelle and a core engine cowling. The fan duct includes a longitudinal endwall and a partition spaced therefrom to define a secondary flow duct. The fan duct also includes a primary outlet, and the secondary duct includes a secondary outlet. The partition between the two ducts includes an aperture covered by a selectively movable flap.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated pump having structure where a plurality of cell pumps having an inlet and an outlet to discharge fluid drawn from a consolidated inlet to the consolidated outlet is connected in series or parallel. A plurality of cell pump may be connected in parallel to constitute an integrated pumps. The integrated pump of the present invention can obtain a desired output connecting in series and parallel a number of cell pumps. For a high output integrated pump where many cell pumps are connected to provide high capacity and high head, by unitizing the individual cell pumps during transportation or installation, the transportation and installation work for the integrated pump can be easily done.

Abstract: Disclosed is a segmented mixing device for reducing jet engine exhaust noise wherein mixing is enhanced between adjacent exhaust flows and between exhaust flow and free-stream flow. The device does so with a very small degradation in aircraft performance. The device is a segmented, triangular or trapezoidal shaped, curved extension to a nozzle's sleeve that results in a serrated trailing edge. The nozzle extensions enhance the natural free mixing of the jet's exhaust flows and therefore reduce the acoustic energy associated with the velocity differences between the streams in which they are imbedded. The novel structure forces adjacent flows to penetrate into one another to a greater depth than that achievable with free mixing and results in a more uniform flow in a shorter stream wise distance while limiting high frequency noise through utilization of root radii in the order of 15 to 20% of the segment's width at the intersection of a parent nozzle.

Abstract: A turbofan engine exhaust nozzle includes cooperating outer and inner mixers. The outer mixer includes alternating outer lobes and outer chutes. The inner mixer includes alternating inner lobes and inner chutes. Forward ends of the outer and inner mixers are spaced radially apart, and aft ends of the mixers are joined together to define an outlet of the nozzle for discharging exhaust flow.

Abstract: A control valve controls the displacement of a variable displacement compressor. The control valve includes a first valve body for adjusting the pressure in a crank chamber, a pressure sensing member, which is displaced in accordance with the pressure difference between two pressure points located in a refrigerant circuit to move the first valve body, an electromagnetic actuator for urging the pressure sensing member, and a second valve body, which is operably coupled to the pressure sensing member. The second valve body adjusts the opening degree of a discharge passage of the refrigerant circuit in accordance with the displacement of the pressure sensing member. Therefore, compared to a case where the first and second valve bodies are independently arranged in the compressor, the number of parts are reduced, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A case-burning rocket booster includes a combustible case containing a solid rocket fuel, a combustion chamber adjustably coupled to the case for burning the case and the solid rocket fuel, a nozzle connected to the combustion chamber for expelling the burned case and fuel to generate thrust, and a drive system for pulling the combustion chamber and nozzle up the case as the case and fuel burn. A hybrid version of the case-burning rocket also includes an oxygen supply system for supplying varying amounts of oxygen to the combustion chamber to vary the thrust generated by burning the case and the fuel.

Abstract: A bearing mechanism comprises a shaft rotatably supported by a bearing accommodated in a cylindrical bearing accommodating portion. The shaft is applied with varying load in response to a slidable movement of a pair of pistons so as to be displaced in a direction. The bearing is displaced corresponding to the displacement of the shaft being applied with the varying load. The bearing mechanism further comprises a biasing means. The biasing means biases the bearing to be always in contact with at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical bearing accommodating portion in the other direction different from the direction in which the bearing is displaced in accordance with the varying load.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a centrifugal pump is operating within its normal flow operating range includes the steps: of determining a motor torque/TDH relationship over a range of speeds for a minimum flow rate in order to obtain a minimum flow operating range for the centrifugal pump; determining a motor torque/TDH relationship over a range of speeds for a maximum flow rate in order to obtain a maximum flow operating range for the centrifugal pump; determining the actual operating motor torque and TDH of the centrifugal pump at a given operating point; and determining whether the actual operating motor torque and TDH of the centrifugal pump fall within the minimum flow and maximum flow operating ranges of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic systems, including valves and pumps for microfluidic systems. The valves of the invention include check valves such as diaphragm valves and flap valves. Other valves of the invention include one-use valves. The pumps of the present invention include a reservoir and at least two check valves. The reservoir may be of variable volume. The present invention also relates to a flexible microfluidic system. The present invention additionally relates to a method of making microfluidic systems including those of the present invention. The method includes forming a microfluidic system on a master, connecting a support to the microfluidic system and removing the microfluidic system from the master. The support may remain connected to the microfluidic system or the microfluidic system may be transferred to another substrate. The present invention further relates to a method of manipulating a flow of a fluid in a microfluidic system.

Abstract: The purpose is to improve the mixture ratio of a pre-mixer by a simple arrangement to form a more uniform premixed gases so as to materialize low NOx combustion. Two fuel nozzles disposed circumferentially of a pre-mixer are combined with a single air intake window to make a set, which set is used to produce swirls in a pair, thereby expediting mixing. Further, the inlet window is shaped such that its circumferential width is changed axially of the combustor, thereby changing the strength and size of the swirls to achieve the greatest effect. By reducing both the pre-mixer inlet windows and the partition walls in number, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and by strengthening and optimizing the swirls, a combustor with superior low NOx performance can be provided, while it is possible to reduce the length of the pre-mixer necessary to obtain the same mixture ratio, leading to a cost reduction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic pump in which a medium is pumped by the interaction between longitudinal acoustic waves and the medium in a flow-chamber. The pump comprises a non-planar, transducer and an associated chamber for providing a controllable, focused, acoustic traveling wave therein. The chamber includes a tapered passage corresponding to the focused beam pattern of the focused acoustic traveling wave through which the liquid medium flows and/or cavitation is induced and/or controlled. The pump therefore utilizes a focused, non-planar, acoustical transducer responsive to frequency input for directing longitudinal acoustic waves into the flow-chamber which induces a pressure gradient. The medium in the flow-chamber flows in the direction of travel of the acoustic wave in the chamber as a result of acoustic streaming. The exit orifice of the nozzle in communication with the chamber is strategically located at about the focal zone of the focused, traveling wave.

Abstract: A pressure fluid-delivery device comprising a cylinder, a piston and a reservoir for a fluid. A V-seal is mounted in an annulus between the cylinder and the piston. An axial movement of the piston forwards relative to the cylinder results in a delivery of a pressure fluid from the cylinder space. A first leg, in a similar fashion to a check valve, hereby springingly attempts to seal an outlet opening of a channel, which communicates with the reservoir. When the piston is moved backwards, this leg can open the outlet opening, admitting fluid into the cylinder space. The seal rests on a forwardly facing, radially outwardly extending surface of the piston. The seal's first leg projects slantingly radially inwards and is arranged to come into abutment against an axially extending portion of the piston. The seal's second leg projects slantingly radially outwards and constantly abuts sealingly against the cylinder surface.

Abstract: A method for assembling a flap system for a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle including a plurality of backbone assemblies facilitates extending a useful life of the exhaust nozzle. The method includes providing a flap basesheet having a width defined between a pair of side edges that are coupled together by a leading edge and a trailing edge, and including at least one stiffener that extends between the basesheet side edges and includes an intermediate portion that has a width that is smaller than that of the basesheet and is at least one of bonded to and formed integrally with the basesheet, and coupling the basesheet to the gas turbine engine with a backbone assembly.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a closed container having a suction tube and a discharge tube, and a reference frame elastically supported and mounted in the closed container. A driving motor is mounted at one end of the reference frame for generating a linear reciprocating driving force. A front frame is coupled to the other end of the reference frame which has a cylinder insertion hole therein. A cylinder is inserted into the cylinder insertion hole, and a piston is inserted in the cylinder. A connection magnet holder penetrates the reference frame, and an engaging portion engages the connection magnet holder and the piston. A discharge valve assembly is coupled to cover a compression space formed inside the cylinder and discharging gas, and a spring surrounds and is spaced from the piston for elastically supporting a motion of the piston. The operation mechanism is stable without any driving imbalance.

Abstract: An air pumping/extracting duplex pump for use in an inflatable device for selectively pumping air into/out of an air chamber of an inflatable device is constructed to include two connected housing, and an actuating mechanism mounted in the housings and manually rotatable between a first position for drawing air into the inflatable device and a second position for drawing air out of the inflatable device.

Abstract: A method for gas turbine engine off-load starting includes using a starter connected to a rotor of a gas turbine engine to start the gas turbine engine while terminating or reducing torque transmission from the starter to accessory devices until a gas turbine engine starting cycle is completed and the gas turbine engine is operating under a self-sustaining condition.

Abstract: An open frame motor is coupled to an output shaft rotatable about an axis, and has an axially front end and an axially rear end. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and rotated about the axis to drive air radially outward. A housing has an air flow inlet, an air flow outlet, and a closed inner wall surface. The inner wall surface extends from the inlet to the outlet and surrounds the motor and the impeller. The inner wall surface is located radially outward of the impeller axially from a first location forward of the impeller to a second location rearward of the front end of the motor. The inner wall surface defines a peripheral boundary of an air flow path extending alongside the impeller and the motor from the first location to a third location rearward of the motor to cool the motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, both devices and systems, for control of Zeldovich (thermal) NOx production in catalytic combustion systems during combustion of liquid or gaseous fuels in the post catalytic sections of gas turbines by reducing combustion residence time in the HC zone through control of the HC Wave, principally by adjusting the catalyst inlet temperature. As the fuel/air mixture inlet temperature (to the catalyst) is reduced, the HC Wave moves downstream (longer ignition delay time), shortens the residence time at high temperature, thereby reducing thermal NOx production. The countervailing increase in CO production by longer ignition delay times can be limited by selectively locating the HC Wave so that thermal NOx is reduced while power output and low CO production is maintained. NOx is reduced to on the order of <3 ppm, and preferably <2 ppm, while CO is maintained <100 ppm, typically <50 ppm, and preferably <5-10 ppm.

Abstract: A dual-fluid heat engine having a gas turbine and an open cycle steam turbine. The gas turbine has a compressor for compressing a first working fluid, the compressor having a compressor outlet. The gas turbine has a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the compressor outlet. The turbine portion of the gas turbine has an inlet in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for performing work by expansion of the first working fluid, and a gas turbine exhaust. A heat recovery exchanger is coupled to the gas turbine exhaust having a heat recovery inlet and an outlet for heating a second working fluid, water. The water is converted into steam in the heat recovery exchanger. A pump increases the pressure of the water prior to entrance in the heat recovery exchanger. An atmospheric exhaust expansion steam turbine extracts energy from the heated second working fluid to drive an electrical generator.