Abstract: An ion thruster, comprising: a discharge chamber for accelerating ions towards one direction; an inflow opening for intake of a propellant into the discharge chamber; a discharge cathode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for releasing electrons in the discharge chamber, thereby ionizing the propellant in the discharge chamber, wherein the discharge cathode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling inward to the discharge chamber the propellant thereof; an outflow opening for exhausting the ions from the discharge chamber; and an accelerator electrode, shaped in a form of a propeller, for accelerating the ions towards the one direction of the outflow opening, wherein the accelerator electrode is rotatable around an axis, thereby propelling outward from the discharge chamber the ions and neutral atoms thereof; wherein the ion thruster comprises electromagnetic coils for generating a magnetic field inside the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An aircraft thrust reverser actuation system includes a plurality of actuator assemblies that are each configured, upon receipt of a drive torque, to move to a position. The rotary hydraulic motor is coupled to each of the actuator assemblies and is configured, upon receipt of hydraulic fluid, to rotate and supply the drive torque to each of the actuator assemblies. The control valve is in fluid communication with the rotary hydraulic motor and is configured, upon receipt of electrical current, to move to a valve position based on the magnitude of the received electrical current, to thereby control the direction and flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. The valve control is configured, upon receipt of thrust reverser commands, to supply the electrical current to the control valve and selectively vary the magnitude of the electrical current based on the positions of the actuator assemblies.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a planetary roller screw and at least two motor assemblies disposed on opposing sides of the roller screw. The planetary roller screw includes a shaft linearly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position, a nut rotatable about the shaft, and a plurality of rollers coupling the nut to the shaft. A spur gear is fixedly connected to the nut. Each motor assembly includes a DC motor having an output shaft, a planetary gear head coupled to the DC motor output shaft and having an output shaft, and a pinion gear coupled to the spur gear and fixedly connected to the planetary gear head output shaft.

Abstract: A turbine system and method of operating is provided. The system includes a compressor configured to generate a compressed low-oxygen air stream and a combustor configured to receive the compressed low-oxygen air stream and to combust a fuel stream to generate a post combustion gas stream. The turbine system also includes a turbine for receiving the post combustion gas stream to generate a low-NOx exhaust gas stream, a heat recovery system configured to receive the low-NOx exhaust gas stream and generate a cooled air stream and an auxiliary compressor configured to generate an oxygen and water vapor deficient cooled and compressed air stream. A portion of the oxygen and water vapor deficient cooled and compressed air stream is directed to the combustor to generate an Oxygen and H2O deficient film on exposed portions of the combustor, and another portion is directed to the turbine to provide a cooling flow.

Abstract: The invention, which relates to a miniaturizable plasma thruster, consists of: —igniting the plasma by microhollow cathode discharge close to the outlet and inside the means for injecting the propellant gas, said injection means being magnetic and comprising a tip at the downstream end thereof; —bringing the electrons of the magnetized plasma into gyromagnetic rotation, at the outlet end of said injection means; —sustaining the plasma by means of Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR), said injection means being metal and being used as an antenna for electromagnetic (EM) emission, the volume of ECR plasma at the outlet of said injection means being used as a resonant cavity of the EM wave; —accelerating the plasma in a magnetic nozzle by diamagnetic force, the ejected plasma being electrically neutral.

Abstract: An electron acceleration device using thermionic fission cells and an electromagnetic scoop coil for power. A power control junction and electron injector control that feeds free electrons in packets into the acceleration components that consist of a series of induction linac module units, having quadrupole magnet units in series between the induction module units. Has on-board xenon gas for a deep space electron source. At the high speed electrons exit from the device, deflector plates control the exit path of the electrons to direct the course of a craft.

Abstract: A pilot fuel nozzle for a combustor includes an igniter forming a central body extending along a longitudinal center of the nozzle. A nozzle tip includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced fuel passages and a plurality of circumferentially spaced air passages extending to an outer side of the nozzle tip. The central body extends through a center of the nozzle tip for producing a spark to ignite a fuel/air mixture adjacent to the nozzle tip. A plurality of fuel tubes extend along the central body, each of the fuel tubes having an outlet end engaged on the nozzle tip for delivery of fuel from the nozzle tip into a combustion chamber of the combustor An outer sleeve surrounds the fuel tubes and defines an annular space in fluid communication with the air passages of the nozzle tip between the outer sleeve and the central body.

Abstract: The gas turbine facility 10 of the embodiment includes a combustor 20 combusting fuel and oxidant, a turbine 21 rotated by combustion gas, a heat exchanger 23 cooling the combustion gas, a heat exchanger 24 removing water vapor from the combustion gas which passed through the heat exchanger 23 to regenerate dry working gas, and a compressor 25 compressing the dry working gas until it becomes supercritical fluid. Further, the gas turbine facility 10 includes a pipe 42 guiding a part of the dry working gas from the compressor 25 to the combustor 20 via the heat exchanger 23, a pipe 44 exhausting a part of the dry working gas to the outside, and a pipe 45 introducing a remaining part of the dry working gas exhausted from the compressor 25 into a pipe 40 coupling an outlet of the turbine 21 and an inlet of the heat exchanger 23.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for a gas turbine combustor with significantly reduced cooling air mass flow requirements. The damping device includes a wall with a first inner wall and a second outer wall, arranged in a distance to each other. The inner wall is subjected to high temperatures on a side with a hot gas flow. A plurality of cooling channels extend essentially parallel between the first inner wall and the second outer wall, and at least one damping volume bordered by cooling channels. Furthermore, the damping device includes a first passage for supplying a cooling medium from a cooling channel into the damping volume and a second passage for connecting the damping volume to the combustion chamber. An end plate, fixed to the inner wall, separates the damping volume from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A replaceable thrust generating structure for an air vehicle, which includes one or more mounts, which are attachable to the air vehicle, and a thrust generating structure attached to each of the one or more mounts, and wherein the thrust generating structure includes an NMSET element.

Abstract: A compressor blade mounting arrangement includes a compressor blade having an airfoil, a base attachment and a platform disposed between the airfoil and the base attachment. The base attachment includes a first root portion extending radially inwardly from the platform and a second root portion extending radially inwardly from the platform, the first root portion and the second root portion defining a hollow portion therebetween. The base attachment also includes a compression plate disposed within the hollow portion and in fitted engagement with the first root portion and the second root portion. The base portion further includes at least one tab protruding from at least one of the first root portion and the second root portion. The compressor blade mounting arrangement also includes a wheel including a channel extending from a base wall to a rim of the wheel, the channel having a varying opening width.

Abstract: A gas turbomachine nozzle includes a base portion having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet, and an outlet portion having one or more outlets. A connection section fluidically connects the base portion and the outlet portion. An orifice plug is arranged in the base portion at the second fluid inlet. The orifice plug includes one or more openings fluidically connecting the second fluid inlet and the connection section.

Abstract: A modulator device for modulating a gas ejection section, includes a shutter member for partially shutting a nozzle throat, a control guide of the shutter member, a main piston, and a primer piston. The control guide is movable between a retraction position for retracting the partial shutter element relative to the nozzle throat and a shutting position in which the partial shutter element is in contact with the nozzle throat. The primer piston is movable between a rest position and a priming position for priming the main piston when the pressure in the modulator device reaches a first predetermined value. The main piston is movable between a first position for locking the control guide against movement in its retraction position, and a second position for locking the control guide when the pressure in the modulator device reaches a second predetermined value less than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A power plant incorporating attributes of a gas turbine engine, flywheel, and electrical generator (hereafter turbine/flywheel or TF) in a single compact unit, having a compressor arrayed with magnets which weight the periphery of the TF. Intermittent combustion periods accelerate the TF to a first rotational velocity, then combustion ceases, and the inlet/outlet of the TF are sealed, causing it to self-evacuate. Conductive coils surround the TF. Magnetic flux between the magnets and coils acts as a motor/generator, electrically powering a load, and absorbing electrical power therefrom via regenerative braking; power out decelerating the TF (now a flywheel), power in accelerating it. A pressure accumulator accepts the TF exhaust, and is pressurized by the combustion periods. Between combustion periods, exhaust in the accumulator expands in a small pump/motor that drives a generator, routing electricity to the TF to raise its rotational velocity.

Abstract: A nozzle of variable throat section for an aerospace vehicle thruster, the nozzle including a cylindrical housing presenting a throat of aperture diameter less than the diameter of the housing, and a needle suitable for sliding inside the housing between a high discharge rate front position in which the nose is set back from the throat of the housing, and a low discharge rate rear position in which the nose is in abutment against the throat, the needle including a rod for sliding inside the housing of the nozzle, the rod terminating in a nose of decreasing diameter. The nose of the rod is suitable for coming into abutment against the throat of the nozzle housing forming a seat and includes at least two axial grooves formed in its outer periphery to allow gas to pass when the nose is axially in abutment against the throat of the housing of the nozzle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling air flow through a combustor swirler assembly that includes an inner swirler and an outer swirler. A bistable fluidic amplifier that includes an air inlet, a first air outlet, a second air outlet, and a control port is disposed upstream of the combustor swirler assembly. A flow of compressed is directed into the air inlet of the bistable fluidic amplifier and, based on the control air pressure at the control port, the flow of compressed air supplied to the air inlet is selectively directed to either the first air outlet or the second air outlet.

Abstract: Specific impulse and rocket engine efficiency can be improved by injecting reactants, e.g., a propellant combination or a monopropellant and a catalyst, into a plasma flow of a rocket engine. In some aspects, a catalyst or a propellant is carried by plasma formed by passing a flow of a feed gas through an electrical arc. In some aspects, reactants are combusted in supersonic plasma flow to generate combustion ionization in the plasma flow.

Abstract: Ion optics for use in a conventional or annular or other shaped ion thruster are disclosed including a plurality of planar, spaced apart ion optic electrode pairs sized to include a diameter smaller than the diameter of thruster exhaust and retained in, on or otherwise associated with a frame across the thruster exhaust. An electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among a set of first upstream electrodes and an electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among the second downstream electrodes.

Abstract: A steerable-thrust Hall effect thruster in which a final stage of a magnetic circuit includes an inner pole and a facing outer pole, the inner pole being offset axially downstream relative to the outer pole, so that a magnetic field is inclined relative to a transverse plane of the thruster.

Abstract: An aircraft/spacecraft fluid cooling system and an aircraft/spacecraft fluid cooling method in which a fluid in a pipe installed in aircraft or spacecraft can be cooled efficiently so that the amount of fluid required for cooling the fluid can be reduced. A fluid cooling system includes a feed line that feeds a fluid from a storage tank to a pump, and a cooling section that expands a propellant having traveled through the pump, feeds the propellant to the outer periphery of the feed line so as to cool the propellant in the feed line, and discharges the expanded propellant outside.