Abstract: A method of designing a morphable aerodynamic surface includes discretizing and parameterizing a model of a morphable surface to create a function to optimize; utilizing finite element analysis to solve for displacements and associated errors at an initialization point; and iteratively calculating a gradient cost function, define step size and search direction, step according to defined step size and search direction, and recalculate displacements and associated errors to converge on final thickness vector.

Abstract: A method of cooling a battery cell includes: atomizing a cooling fluid by driving it through a micro-nozzle at a pressure sufficient to create a jet of aerosolized liquid droplets while retaining sufficient momentum in flow of the fluid to travel from the nozzle to an outer surface of the battery cell; impinging the spray of the jet of aerosolized liquid droplets on an outer surface of the battery cell; partially evaporating the liquid droplets on the outer surface to conduct heat from the outer surface; and convecting heat from the outer surface of the battery via the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A thermoplastic vascular structure has a first thermoplastic sheet including at least one first recess; and a second thermoplastic sheet. The first thermoplastic sheet is attached to the second thermoplastic sheet to create a continuous branched vascular network structure. The at least one first recess creates at least one fluid channel through the continuous branched vascular network structure. The second thermoplastic sheet may have at least one second recess. The at least one first recess of the first thermoplastic sheet may align with the at least one second recess of the second thermoplastic sheet to create the at least one fluid channel through the continuous branched vascular network structure.

Abstract: A method of designing a morphable aerodynamic surface includes discretizing and parameterizing a model of a morphable surface to create a function to optimize; utilizing finite element analysis to solve for displacements and associated errors at an initialization point; and iteratively calculating a gradient cost function, define step size and search direction, step according to defined step size and search direction, and recalculate displacements and associated errors to converge on final thickness vector.

Abstract: A method to improve thermal performance of vascular composites by using a two-phase working fluid for isothermalization includes the steps of: manufacturing a vascular composite structure optimized for a design point; manufacturing a thermal back end sized for the application; integrating the vascular composite into a fluid loop; and evacuating and filling the fluid loop with working fluid to an amount resulting in two-phase operation at the design point.

Abstract: A method of cooling a battery cell includes: atomizing a cooling fluid by driving it through a micro-nozzle at a pressure sufficient to create a jet of aerosolized liquid droplets while retaining sufficient momentum in flow of the fluid to travel from the nozzle to an outer surface of the battery cell; impinging the spray of the jet of aerosolized liquid droplets on an outer surface of the battery cell; partially evaporating the liquid droplets on the outer surface to conduct heat from the outer surface; and convecting heat from the outer surface of the battery via the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A method of designing a morphable aerodynamic surface includes discretizing and parameterizing a model of a morphable surface to create a function to optimize; utilizing finite element analysis to solve for displacements and associated errors at an initialization point; and iteratively calculating a gradient cost function, define step size and search direction, step according to defined step size and search direction, and recalculate displacements and associated errors to converge on final thickness vector.

Abstract: A vascular composite heat exchanger includes a first fluid network sandwiched between upper and central plies; and a second fluid network fluidly isolated from the first fluid network sandwiched between the central and lower plies.

Abstract: A method to improve thermal performance of vascular composites by using a two-phase working fluid for isothermalization includes the steps of: manufacturing a vascular composite structure optimized for a design point; manufacturing a thermal back end sized for the application; integrating the vascular composite into a fluid loop; and evacuating and filling the fluid loop with working fluid to an amount resulting in two-phase operation at the design point.

Abstract: A variable cycle turbofan engine includes first and second fans independently joined to respective turbines. A first bypass duct surrounds a core engine disposed in flow communication with the second fan. A second bypass duct surrounds the first bypass duct in flow communication with the first fan. A first exhaust nozzle is joined to both the core engine and first bypass duct. And, a second exhaust nozzle is joined to the second bypass duct.

Abstract: An axial flow positive displacement engine has an inlet axially spaced apart and upstream from an outlet. Inner and outer bodies have offset inner and outer axes extend from the inlet to the outlet through first, second, and third sections of a core assembly in serial downstream flow relationship. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes respectively. The inner and outer helical blades extend radially outwardly and inwardly respectively and have first, second, and third twist slopes in the first, second, and third sections respectively. The first twist slopes are less than the second twist slopes and the third twist slopes are less than the second twist slopes. A combustion section extends axially downstream from the second section through at least a portion of the third section.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine including a core engine, a fan assembly for pressurizing air, a core stream duct, an inner bypass duct, and an outer bypass duct is provided. The method includes channeling a first portion of air discharged from the fan assembly through the core gas turbine engine, channeling a second portion of the air discharged from the fan assembly through the inner bypass duct such that the second portion of air bypasses the core gas turbine engine, mixing the core gas turbine engine exhaust air and the second portion of air, channeling the mixed air through a core engine nozzle, and channeling a third portion of the air discharged from the fan assembly through a bypass nozzle.