Abstract: The automatic transmission for motor vehicles includes a positive displacement pump, a sump hydraulically connected by a passage to the pump inlet, a line pressure control valve having a high pressure outlet, a passage carrying fluid from the control valve through a nozzle and an nozzle exit opening to the passage that connects the sump to the pump inlet. The high pressure passage has a cross section whose area decreases in the direction toward the pump inlet and terminates in a nozzle through which a high speed jet enters the low pressure passage through the nozzle exit opening.

Abstract: A method for operating an aircraft engine facilitates preventing ice accumulation on the aircraft engine. The method comprises coupling a semi-permeable membrane to the engine adjacent an outer surface of the engine, coupling a fluid reservoir to the aircraft engine in flow communication with the semi-permeable membrane, and supplying fluid from the fluid reservoir to the semi-permeable membrane to facilitate preventing ice accumulation on the aircraft engine outer surface.

Abstract: A regenerative source of heat is provided for the oil used to lubricate a compressor within a heating, cooling or refrigeration system. The regenerative source absorbs heat from the oil when it is circulating through the compressor at a relatively high temperature. The regenerative source gives up heat to the oil following deactivation of the compressor. The source of heat includes a thermal phase change material that is preferably a hydrated salt capable of storing sufficient thermal energy to maintain the oil above any temperatures that would cause damage to the moving parts of the compressor.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has a combustion chamber into which fuel and air are supplied, wherein the fuel and the air are supplied into said combustion chamber as a plurality of coaxial jets.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.

Abstract: A pump (1) is provided with a housing (2), having an inlet (28) and an outlet (29), a drive (5), a fixed cylinder (2) centered on a mid-axis (9), a displacer (18), rotating eccentrically within the cylinder (2), a crank drive (13) for the displacer (18), a circumferential sickle-shaped pumping chamber (26) between the cylinder (2) and displacer (18) and a helical sealing element (27, 27?, 27?, 39) in the pumping chamber (26). The pump is a dry vacuum pump, whereby the displacer (18) circulates in the cylinder (2) without making contact.

Abstract: Suction valve spring retainers mounted using an access bore plug are described for use in plunger pump housings having an offset access bore and incorporating structural features for stress-relief. These pump housing structural features accommodate access bore plugs that secure suction valve spring retainers that are internally located substantially centrally over the suction bore transition area of the plunger pump housing. Access bore plugs are secured in place on the pump housing using one or more threaded retainers. Plunger pumps so constructed are relatively resistant to fatigue failure because of stress-reducing structural features, and they may incorporate a variety of valve styles, including top and lower stem-guided valves and crow-foot-guided valves, in easily-maintained configurations. Suction valve spring retainers mounted in plunger pump housings may also incorporate a suction valve top stem guide.

Abstract: A high temperature gas turbine component for use in the gas flow path that also is a specular optical reflector. A thin layer of a high temperature reflector is applied to the gas flow path of the component, that is, the surface of the component that forms a boundary for hot combustion gases. The component typically includes a thermal barrier coating overlying the high temperature metallic component that permits the component to operate at elevated temperatures. The thermal barrier coating must be polished in order to provide a surface that can suitably reflect the radiation into the gas flow path. A thin layer of the high temperature reflector the is applied over the polished thermal barrier coating by a process that can adequately adhere the reflector to the polished surface without increasing the roughness of the surface. The high temperature reflector can be applied to any surface aft of the compressor, such as on a centerbody.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic power unit is disclosed that includes a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic power unit is disposed within the housing, the power unit having a mechanical power shaft. Additionally, an electric machine is disposed within the housing adjacent to the hydraulic power unit, the electric machine having a rotor secured to the mechanical power shaft of the hydraulic power unit. Hydraulic fluid within the housing passes over the electric machine, thus cooling the electric machine and providing for improved efficiency and performance.

Abstract: A fuel pump has an electric motor with a stator, a rotor, a generally cylindrical tube having opposed ends, a fuel pumping element driven by the electric motor to take in fuel and discharge fuel under pressure, and a plate having a face disposed adjacent to the fuel pumping element and a discontinuous support surface against which one end of the tube is received. The discontinuous support surface preferably minimizes distortion of the plate face under loading from the tube in assembly of the fuel pump.

Abstract: A sealing device for use between a gas turbine combustor transition duct aft frame and a turbine inlet having improved durability, reduced wear on the mating turbine vane, and reduced manufacturing costs, is disclosed. The sealing device has a circumferential length, an axial width, and a radial height and contains a plurality of channels extending axially along the seal inner surface for passing a controlled amount of cooling air to a turbine inlet. The sealing device is formed of abradable honeycomb having a plurality of honeycomb cells with the honeycomb cells oriented to ensure maximum control against cooling air leakage while also providing maximum flexibility during assembly. The sealing device is captured between the transition duct aft frame, bulkhead, and turbine vane platform, thereby allowing easy replacement of the seal without requiring major disassembly of the transition duct aft frame section.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for cooling a heat source. One apparatus embodiment includes a housing, a fluid conduit, a pump within the housing and in communication with the fluid conduit for conveying fluid through the fluid conduit, and a turbine in communication with the fluid conduit to be driven by the fluid as it passes through the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An axial flow pump comprising a inner wall disposed in contact with the inside of a stator having winding, a rotor disposed inside the inner wall and adapted to be rotated upon energization of the winding, an axial flow blade formed on an outer periphery of the rotor spirally in a rotational axis direction of the rotor, and a flow path formed between the rotor and the inner wall and defined spirally in the rotational axis direction of the rotor by the axial flow blade. The inner wall is formed of non-magnetic metal and heat generated from the winding upon energization of the winding is transmitted through the inner wall to fluid flowing through the flow path, thereby enhancing the utilization rate of heat generated in the axial flow pump.

Abstract: A pump includes a motor and a motor control in operative connection with the motor. The motor control provides energy input to the motor to drive the motor and receives feedback from the motor of motor function. The motor control includes a motor control protocol that controls the energy input to the motor based upon the feedback received from the motor. The motor control protocol causes a rapid increase in energy provided to the motor if motor feedback indicates an unusual load on the motor.

Abstract: A compressor assembly including a compression mechanism having a main bearing and a plurality of first pilot holes, and an electric motor comprising a rotor disposed within a stator. The stator has a plurality of second and third pilot holes. Each of the first pilot holes are aligned with one of the second pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of aligned first and second pilot holes, whereby the alignment of compression mechanism and stator is maintained. An outboard bearing is secured to the stator, has a plurality of fourth pilot holes and rotatably supports the drive shaft. Each of third pilot holes is aligned with one of the fourth pilot holes. Alignment members are disposed within each pair of third and fourth pilot holes, whereby the alignment of the compression mechanism, the stator and the outboard bearing is maintained.

Abstract: A variable cycle propulsion system for a supersonic airplane, the system comprising at least one engine having means for producing exhaust gas and a gas exhaust nozzle for generating thrust for supersonic flight speeds, and at least one separate auxiliary propulsion assembly dissociated from said engine, having no gas generator, and capable of generating thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic flight speeds. The system further comprises gas flow tapping means movable between a position in which they tap off at least a fraction of the exhaust gas produced by said engine and feed it to said propulsion assembly to enable it to generate thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic cruising flight, and a position in which the gas produced by the engine is directed solely to the engine nozzle for supersonic cruising flight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting aerodynamic instabilities in a jet turbine engine having a pressure transducer mounted in the engine. The pressure transducer, welded to a circuit in signal communication with a controller, is adapted to send measured pressure readings from air in a combustion chamber to the controller. The controller, located in spaced apart relation from the engine, is adapted by software to detect pressure patterns from the pressure signals generated by the transducer that are indicative of a stall or surge. A series of fuel and air valves located with compression and combustion chambers of the engine are in signal communication with the controller. The controller in response to detecting pressure signals indicating a stall or surge is operative to signals in the valves to change the air flow, air angle, fuel flow or speed to reduce the possibility of a stall or surge.

Abstract: A muffler assembly for a compressor that suppresses noise that would otherwise escape from the inlet of the compressor during its operation. The muffler assembly includes an intake conduit that has an inlet portion, an outlet portion adapted to couple to an inlet of a compressor, a longitudinal axis defined between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and a passage defined through the intake conduit generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A baffle is disposed in the intake conduit generally traversing the passage. The baffle is defined in a plane that is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. An opening is defined at least partially by the baffle and disposed generally proximate to the outlet portion of the intake conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressor for sucking, compressing and discharging a refrigerant gas from the external refrigerant circuit. The compressor includes: a suction muffler chamber having a suction port formed on the outer circumference of a cylinder block, which has a plurality of bores arranged in a line, and an oil storing part for storing oil, the suction port being communicated with the external refrigerant circuit; and a rear housing connected to the cylinder block to close the rear end of the cylinder block and having a suction chamber and a discharge chamber therein, the rear housing having a suction chamber communicating passage for communicating the suction chamber with the suction muffler chamber at the upstream part of the suction chamber.

Abstract: Method for controlling an assist pump for fluid delivery systems with pulsatile pressure. If for example a heart assist pump is driven with a constant number of revolutions, it is achieved, that the blood is also delivered through the assist pump, even when the heart chamber is in the decontraction phase. With the present method it is achieved, that an assist pump only acts supportingly in the pressure phase of the main pump, in such a way, that the pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the assist pump is continuously determined and the number of revolutions of the assist pump is controlled in such a way, that the determined pressure difference does not fall below a predetermined value and the rate of flow does not sink below zero.