Abstract: A seat belt retractor spool for a retractor providing load limiting and protraction stop functions. Spool designs are described which receive load limiting torsion bars and also having an end receiving the stop nut of a protraction limiting feature for the retractor. The spool designs provide an interface for the stop function while preserving the structural integrity of the spool.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system includes a pretensioner tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a pretensioner rod having a proximal end portion disposed toward the gas generator and a distal end portion disposed at an exit of the pretensioner tube. The pretensioner rod is disposed inside the pretensioner tube in a pre-actuation state and adapted to travel within the pretensioner tube toward a pretensioner wheel upon an actuation of the gas generator in a post-actuation state. The pretensioner rod includes a protrusion formed in a radial direction of the rod to couple with the pretensioner tube to restrict the rod from moving out from the pretensioner tube in the pre-actuation state. The pretensioner rod is configured to avoid the stripping of the rod and reduce energy consumption when the polymer rod is deformed during pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system includes a pretensioner tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a pretensioner rod having a proximal end portion disposed toward the gas generator and a distal end portion disposed at an exit of the pretensioner tube. The pretensioner rod is disposed inside the pretensioner tube in a pre-actuation state and adapted to travel within the pretensioner tube toward a pretensioner wheel upon an actuation of the gas generator in a post-actuation state. The pretensioner rod includes a protrusion formed in a radial direction of the rod to couple with the pretensioner tube to restrict the rod from moving out from the pretensioner tube in the pre-actuation state. The pretensioner rod is configured to avoid the stripping of the rod and reduce energy consumption when the polymer rod is deformed during pretensioning.

Abstract: An acoustic panel for a gas turbine engine, includes a panel body, a panel-body cover, and a support bracket. The panel body is configured to dampen vibrations caused by the gas turbine engine. The forward support bracket is configured to mount the acoustic panel to portions of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, an outlet guide vane assembly, and a control system. The inlet fan includes fan blades adapted to rotate about a central axis to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of guide vanes that extend radially relative to the central axis and are configured to rotate to a first vane-pitch angle. The control system is configured to rotate the guide vanes redirect the fan exit air, vary a pressure downstream of the fan inlet, minimize intake flow distortion experienced by the inlet fan, reduce inlet fan vibratory response and/or improve fan operability margins.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of outlet guide vanes including a first outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a first angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction and a second outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a second angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a second direction. The second outlet guide vane is located at a different circumferential position than the first outlet guide vane.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of vanes configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction, and a second plurality of vanes located downstream of the first plurality of vanes. The second plurality of vanes are configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air flowing in the first direction in a second direction to minimize losses created by distortions in fan inlet air and created by the first vanes.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine is formed to define a cavity formed in the airfoil. The airfoil further includes at least one obstructing member arranged within the cavity and a shear-thickening fluid disposed in the cavity. A viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid increases in response to the airfoil experiencing an aeromechanic response or vibrations such that the obstruction of the movement of the thicker fluid by the obstructing member dampens the vibrations of the airfoil and reduces negative effects of a dynamic response of the airfoil.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine is formed to define cavities formed in the airfoil and a passage that extends between and fluidly interconnects the cavities. The airfoil further includes damping fluid located in the cavities and the damping fluid is adapted to flow between the cavities via the passage.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine is formed to define a cavity formed in the airfoil. The airfoil further includes at least one obstructing member arranged within the cavity and a shear-thickening fluid disposed in the cavity. A viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid increases in response to the airfoil experiencing an aeromechanic response or vibrations such that the obstruction of the movement of the thicker fluid by the obstructing member dampens the vibrations of the airfoil and reduces negative effects of a dynamic response of the airfoil.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan forces fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and adjusts a direction of the fan exit air, and includes a plurality of outlet guide vanes and a plurality of actuation assemblies that control rotation of the outlet guide vanes about a pitch axis. The outlet guide vanes include a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion rotatably coupled to an axially aft edge of the leading edge portion. The actuation assembly rotates the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion to minimize losses created by distortions in fan inlet air and created by the leading edge portion redirecting the fan exit air in the first direction.

Abstract: An acoustic panel for a gas turbine engine, includes a panel body, a panel-body cover, and a support bracket. The panel body is configured to dampen vibrations caused by the gas turbine engine. The forward support bracket is configured to mount the acoustic panel to portions of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan case assembly adapted to extend around blades of a fan rotor included in the gas turbine engine. The fan case assembly includes an annular case that extends around an axis, an acoustic panel coupled to the annular case and configured to dampen vibrations and a bolting arrangement that couples the acoustic panel to the annular case.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan case assembly adapted to extend around blades of a fan rotor included in the gas turbine engine. The fan case assembly includes an annular case that extends around an axis, an acoustic panel coupled to the annular case and configured to dampen vibrations and a bolting arrangement that couples the acoustic panel to the annular case.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine is formed to define cavities formed in the airfoil and a passage that extends between and fluidly interconnects the cavities. The airfoil further includes damping fluid located in the cavities and the damping fluid is adapted to flow between the cavities via the passage.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan forces fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and adjusts a direction of the fan exit air, and includes a plurality of outlet guide vanes and a plurality of actuation assemblies that control rotation of the outlet guide vanes about a pitch axis. The outlet guide vanes include a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion rotatably coupled to an axially aft edge of the leading edge portion. The actuation assembly rotates the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion to minimize losses created by distortions in fan inlet air and created by the leading edge portion redirecting the fan exit air in the first direction.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of outlet guide vanes including a first outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a first angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction and a second outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a second angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a second direction. The second outlet guide vane is located at a different circumferential position than the first outlet guide vane.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of vanes configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction, and a second plurality of vanes located downstream of the first plurality of vanes. The second plurality of vanes are configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air flowing in the first direction in a second direction to minimize losses created by distortions in fan inlet air and created by the first vanes.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, an outlet guide vane assembly, and a control system. The inlet fan includes fan blades adapted to rotate about a central axis to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of guide vanes that extend radially relative to the central axis and are configured to rotate to a first vane-pitch angle. The control system is configured to rotate the guide vanes redirect the fan exit air, vary a pressure downstream of the fan inlet, minimize intake flow distortion experienced by the inlet fan, reduce inlet fan vibratory response and/or improve fan operability margins.

Abstract: A fan case assembly is adapted to extend around blades of a fan rotor included in a gas turbine engine. The fan case assembly includes an annular case that extends around an axis, a fan track liner coupled to the annular case and extending circumferentially at least partway about the axis, and a bolting arrangement that couples the fan track liner to the annular case.