Abstract: A field of feeding propellant gas to ion thrusters, and in particular a method of feeding an ion thruster with propellant gas coming from a pressurized tank via a feed circuit including an on/off valve and, in succession downstream from the on/off valve, a high pressure restrictor, a buffer tank, and at least one low pressure restrictor. The method includes the steps of calculating a pressure setpoint for the buffer tank as a function of a flow rate setpoint, calculating the difference between the pressure setpoint for the buffer tank and a pressure measured in the buffer tank, calculating a setpoint for the opening time of the on/off valve as a function of the difference and of a pressure inside the pressurized tank, and opening the on/off valve in compliance with the opening time setpoint.

Abstract: A device comprising a combustion toroid for receiving combustion-induced centrifugal forces therein to continuously combust fluids located therein and an outlet for exhaust from said combustion toroid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of adding propellant to a thruster assembly are described. A first end of a beaker is disposed in an opening of the tank, where the beaker contains propellant and the first end of the beaker includes a breakaway bottom. The thruster assembly and beaker are placed in a first environment, where the first environment is substantially a vacuum and/or an environment composed substantially of gases that can be absorbed by the propellant. A plunger in the beaker is depressed to cause the breakaway bottom of the beaker to break and the propellant to flow into the tank of the thruster assembly. The thruster assembly is removed from the first environment and the beaker is removed from the opening. A cap is added to complete the assembly. The assembly contains a vent to allow gases to escape the interior of the tank.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, an axial centerline along a longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines an upstream end and a downstream end along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the gas turbine engine defines a core flowpath extended generally along the longitudinal direction. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine frame defined around the axial centerline, the turbine frame comprising a first bearing surface disposed inward along the radial direction. The gas turbine engine further includes a turbine rotor assembly including a bearing assembly coupled to the first bearing surface of the turbine frame and the turbine rotor assembly. The turbine rotor assembly further includes a first turbine rotor disposed upstream of the turbine frame and a second turbine rotor disposed downstream of the turbine frame.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a gas generator rotating along a first axis of rotation, with at least one compressor rotor, at least one gas generator turbine rotor and a combustion section. A fan drive turbine rotates along a second axis of rotation, downstream of at least one gas generator turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine drives a pair of shaft portions extending in opposed directions beyond the axis of rotation of the gas generator.

Abstract: Electrodeless plasma is supplied to a space between a cathode and an anode such that a resistivity in the space is reduced. The electrodeless plasma is accelerated with Lorentz force induced by a radial direction magnetic field component and an axial direction magnetic field component that are generated in the space, and current in the space.

Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a gutter and a gear train with an axial centerline. The gutter is disposed radially outside of the axial centerline. The gutter includes an inner surface and a channel that receives fluid directed out of the gear train. The inner surface at least partially defines a bore in which the gear train is arranged. The channel extends radially into the gutter from the inner surface, and circumferentially to a channel outlet. The bore has a cross-sectional bore area, and the channel has a cross-sectional channel area that is substantially equal to or less than about two percent of the bore area.

Abstract: A plasma thruster includes extraction of a stream of positive ions. The plasma thruster includes a single ionization stage; injecting ionizable gas for said ionization stage comprising injecting a first gas and an electronegative second gas; creating an RF electric field to cause the gases to ionize in the ionization stage creating a first zone called the hot zone, in the ionization stage; the first gas being distributed in the hot first zone, the second gas being distributed in a second zone less hot than said first zone; extracting a stream of negative ions and a stream of positive ions, these being both connected to the ionization stage; and the extraction of a stream of positive ions and the extraction of a stream of negative ions, ensuring that the thruster is electrically neutral.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor is provided with a combustor basket where combustion gas flows, the combustion gas being produced by combustion of fuel injected from a nozzle, and a first resonance device and a second resonance device mounted on an outer surface of the combustor basket. The second resonance device is disposed on a downstream side from the first resonance device in a flow of the combustion gas and damps combustion oscillation of a frequency higher than the first resonance device. The first and second resonance devices are acoustic liners each having a housing mounted to the outer surface of the combustor basket. A resonance space surrounded by the housing and the outer surface of the combustor basket communicates with an interior space of the combustor basket via a plurality of acoustic holes formed in the combustor basket.

Abstract: A system for controlling a distribution of propellant in a propellant tank assembly for a spacecraft comprises a body for containing the propellant, a plurality of thermal tomography elements, including a plurality of temperature-control elements and a plurality of temperature sensors, disposed around the body for detecting the distribution of the propellant inside the body; and a tomography element control module arranged to control the plurality of temperature-control elements to redistribute the propellant inside the propellant tank body by heating and/or cooling the propellant. In an embodiment, the propellant tank body includes a propellant management device inside the body and the tomography elements are disposed in proximity to the propellant management device. Tomography data can be obtained from the plurality of tomography elements, and a distribution of propellant within the propellant tank body can be determined based on the obtained tomography data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support duct for a gas turbine engine. The supported duct comprises at least one support frame having an aperture defined by an upper aperture wall, a lower aperture wall and opposing aperture side walls. It further comprises a duct extending through aperture, the duct comprising an upper panel in abutment with the upper aperture wall, a lower panel in abutment with the lower aperture wall and opposing side walls extending between the upper and lower panels. The opposing side walls of the duct are spaced from the opposing aperture side walls.

Abstract: A discharge chamber of an ion drive, an ion drive having a discharge chamber, and a diaphragm for being affixed in a discharge chamber of an ion drive. The discharge chamber comprises a diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm of the discharge chamber comprises a magnet and is disposed and/or affixed in the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A cusped-field thruster for a space system, wherein the cusped-field thruster comprises: at least two substantially annular permanent magnets arranged in an antipolar manner, wherein a magnetic pole piece is formed between the permanent magnets, and an anode, which comprises a permanent-magnetic material. The cusped-field thruster is configured such that a cusp is formed in a region adjacent to the anode of the cusped-field thruster.

Abstract: A thruster operable in a chemical mode or in an electrospray mode using the same liquid monopropellant for operation in both modes is described having a multiplicity of a microthrusters made of a catalytic material having a bore therethrough, where, when operated in the chemical mode, the microthrusters are heated to decompose the monopropellant the monopropellant flows therethrough to generate relatively high thrust. An extractor is positioned downstream of the outlet ends of the microthrusters, such that when the system is operated in its electrospray mode the flowrate of the monopropellant through the microthrusters is substantially lower than in the chemical mode and the extractor is energized with an electric field so that ions and droplets are discharged from the microthrusters and accelerated so as to yield a relatively high specific impulse.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of distributed fan rotors. A gas generator has a core fan rotor. at least one compressor rotor. at least one gas generator turbine rotor, and a combustion section. A fan drive turbine is downstream of the at least one gas generator turbine rotor. A shaft is configured to be driven by the fan drive turbine, the shaft engaging gears to drive the plurality of distributed fan rotors. The core fan rotor delivers a portion of air into the at least one compressor rotor, and a portion of bypass air into a bypass duct which bypasses the gas generator. The bypass air mixes with products of combustion downstream of the at least one gas generator turbine rotor.

Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a fan variable area nozzle movable relative a fan nacelle to vary a fan nozzle exit area to reduce a fan instability.

Abstract: A compressor includes a rotor; a rotor casing surrounding the rotor from an outer circumferential side of the rotor and defining a main flow passage of a fluid between the rotor and the rotor casing; an extraction-chamber casing at an outer circumferential side of the rotor casing, and defining an extraction chamber in communication with the main flow passage between the rotor casing and the extraction-chamber casing; and an extraction nozzle connected to the extraction-chamber casing from an outer circumferential side of the extraction-chamber casing and configured to guide the fluid inside the extraction chamber to an outside of the compressor. A gap in a radial direction between the extraction-chamber casing and the rotor casing is larger at a first side of the extraction nozzle in a rearward rotation direction of the rotor than at a second side of the extraction nozzle in a forward rotation direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A Hall effect thruster arranged inside a wall and including a magnetic circuit and an electric circuit including an anode, a first cathode, and a voltage source. The magnetic circuit and the electric circuit are arranged in such a manner as to generate magnetic and electric fields around the wall. In every meridian section, the magnetic circuit presents an upstream magnetic pole and a downstream magnetic pole arranged at the surface of the wall and spaced apart from each other; and the anode and the first cathode are situated on either side of the upstream magnetic pole.

Abstract: Components are disclosed which include a first component section and a second component section joined to form a hollow structure defining a plenum having an interior surface, wherein the component sections each include mating ridges joined together along the length of the plenum, and a corrosion-resistant cladding layer including a corrosion-resistant material overlaying the interior surface of the plenum. In one embodiment, the component is a gas turbine combustor fuel manifold. A method of forming the components includes applying corrosion-resistant segments including a corrosion-resistant material to each of the surfaces of the component sections, and joining the component sections to form the component, wherein joining the component sections includes fusing the corrosion-resistant segments into the corrosion-resistant cladding layer, and joining the mating ridges of the component sections.

Abstract: A self-contained ion powered aircraft assembly is provided. The aircraft assembly includes a collector assembly, an emitter assembly, and a control circuit operatively connected to at least the emitter and collector assemblies and comprising a power supply configured to provide voltage to the emitter and collector assemblies. The assembly is configured, such that, when the voltage is provided from an on board power supply, the aircraft provides sufficient thrust to lift each of the collector assembly, the emitter assembly, and the entire power supply against gravity.