Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flowpath, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not in operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: High performance wedge diffusers utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the wedge diffuser includes a diffuser flowbody and tapered diffuser vanes, which are contained in the diffuser flowbody and which partition or separate diffuser flow passages or channels extending through the flowbody. The diffuser flow channels include, in turn, flow channel inlets formed in an inner peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, flow channel outlets formed in an outer peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, and flow channel throats fluidly coupled between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets. The diffuser vanes include a first plurality of vane sidewalls, which transition from linear sidewall geometries to non-linear sidewall geometries at locations between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets.

Abstract: Circumferentially-split diffuser assemblies utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the diffuser assembly includes flow passages, which extend through the diffuser assembly and which include diffuser flow passage sections. Diffuser airfoils are interspersed with the diffuser flow passage sections. The diffuser airfoils include inboard and outboard airfoil segments distributed around a diffuser assembly centerline. The inboard and outboard airfoil segments are contained in and, thus, defined by inner and outer annular diffuser structures, respectively. The outer annular diffuser structure circumscribes the inner annular diffuser structure.

Abstract: High performance wedge diffusers utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the wedge diffuser includes a diffuser flowbody and tapered diffuser vanes, which are contained in the diffuser flowbody and which partition or separate diffuser flow passages or channels extending through the flowbody. The diffuser flow channels include, in turn, flow channel inlets formed in an inner peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, flow channel outlets formed in an outer peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, and flow channel throats fluidly coupled between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets. The diffuser vanes include a first plurality of vane sidewalls, which transition from linear sidewall geometries to non-linear sidewall geometries at locations between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets.

Abstract: High performance wedge diffusers utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the wedge diffuser includes a diffuser flowbody and tapered diffuser vanes, which are contained in the diffuser flowbody and which partition or separate diffuser flow passages or channels extending through the flowbody. The diffuser flow channels include, in turn, flow channel inlets formed in an inner peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, flow channel outlets formed in an outer peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, and flow channel throats fluidly coupled between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets. The diffuser vanes include a first plurality of vane sidewalls, which transition from linear sidewall geometries to non-linear sidewall geometries at locations between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets.

Abstract: An inertial inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine is provided. A separator assembly and collector assembly are coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air. The collector inlet has a throat defining a cumulative throat area at each position along the throat length from the first throat end to the second throat end. The collector body defines a cross-sectional area associated with each position along the throat length between the first throat end and the second throat end. The collector outlet is coupled to the collector body such that scavenge air flows into the collector inlet, through the collector body, and out through the collector outlet. At a first position between the first throat end and the second throat end, the respective cross-sectional area of the collector body is greater than or equal to the respective cumulative throat area.

Abstract: Circumferentially-split diffuser assemblies utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the diffuser assembly includes flow passages, which extend through the diffuser assembly and which include diffuser flow passage sections. Diffuser airfoils are interspersed with the diffuser flow passage sections. The diffuser airfoils include inboard and outboard airfoil segments distributed around a diffuser assembly centerline. The inboard and outboard airfoil segments are contained in and, thus, defined by inner and outer annular diffuser structures, respectively. The outer annular diffuser structure circumscribes the inner annular diffuser structure.

Abstract: High performance wedge diffusers utilized within compression systems, such as centrifugal and mixed-flow compression systems employed within gas turbine engines, are provided. In embodiments, the wedge diffuser includes a diffuser flowbody and tapered diffuser vanes, which are contained in the diffuser flowbody and which partition or separate diffuser flow passages or channels extending through the flowbody. The diffuser flow channels include, in turn, flow channel inlets formed in an inner peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, flow channel outlets formed in an outer peripheral portion of the diffuser flowbody, and flow channel throats fluidly coupled between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets. The diffuser vanes include a first plurality of vane sidewalls, which transition from linear sidewall geometries to non-linear sidewall geometries at locations between the flow channel inlets and the flow channel outlets.

Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flow path, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: Provided is a radial diffuser that includes a housing, a plurality of diffuser vanes, and a plurality of deswirl vanes and at least one vane extension providing a service routing. Each of the vane extensions is disposed after a radial section and may extend into or through a transition and into the deswirl cascade. At least a portion of the vane extensions include a service passage extending therethrough. Each service passage is configured to allow a service conduit to extend therethrough without adversely crossing either a diffusion flow passage or a transition flow passage.

Abstract: An inertial inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine is provided. A separator assembly and collector assembly are coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air. The collector inlet has a throat defining a cumulative throat area at each position along the throat length from the first throat end to the second throat end. The collector body defines a cross-sectional area associated with each position along the throat length between the first throat end and the second throat end. The collector outlet is coupled to the collector body such that scavenge air flows into the collector inlet, through the collector body, and out through the collector outlet. At a first position between the first throat end and the second throat end, the respective cross-sectional area of the collector body is greater than or equal to the respective cumulative throat area.

Abstract: An inertial inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine is provided. A separator assembly and collector assembly are coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air. The collector inlet has a throat defining a cumulative throat area at each position along the throat length from the first throat end to the second throat end. The collector body defines a cross-sectional area associated with each position along the throat length between the first throat end and the second throat end. The collector outlet is coupled to the collector body such that scavenge air flows into the collector inlet, through the collector body, and out through the collector outlet. At a first position between the first throat end and the second throat end, the respective cross-sectional area of the collector body is greater than or equal to the respective cumulative throat area.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle separator includes a plurality of vanes. Each vane is spaced apart from at least one other adjacent vane to define a flow channel, and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a splitter. The first side wall extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall and extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge. The splitter may be rotationally coupled to the trailing edge and extend toward the leading edge. The splitter is spaced apart from the first side wall to define a scavenge volume and is rotatable between an extended position and a retracted position. The vanes may also or instead be coupled to a ring-shaped structure.

Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flow path, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: An accessory gear box for a gas turbine engine having a drive shaft with a rotational axis and a tower shaft coupled to the drive shaft is provided. The accessory gear box includes a first plurality of gears arranged, which extend along a first axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The accessory gear box includes a second plurality of gears, which extend along a second axis. The accessory gear box includes a first shaft, with one of the first plurality of gears coupled to the first shaft, and one of the second plurality of gears coupled to a second shaft. The one of the second plurality of gears coupled to the first shaft includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, and the second engagement surface is coupled to another one of the second plurality of gears to drive the second shaft.

Abstract: A tie shaft for a rotating group of an engine core includes a cylindrical body having an internal surface and an external surface and extending between a forward end and an aft end. The tie shaft further includes a first group of internal grooves on the internal surface of the cylindrical body proximate to the forward end and a second group of internal grooves on the internal surface of the cylindrical body proximate to the aft end.

Abstract: Provided is a radial diffuser that includes a housing, a plurality of diffuser vanes, and a plurality of deswirl vanes and at least one vane extension providing a service routing. Each of the vane extensions is disposed after a radial section and may extend into or through a transition and into the deswirl cascade. At least a portion of the vane extensions include a service passage extending therethrough. Each service passage is configured to allow a service conduit to extend therethrough without adversely crossing either a diffusion flow passage or a transition flow passage.

Abstract: Thermal isolating service tubes and assemblies thereof for gas turbine engines are provided. The thermal isolating service tube comprises an inner tubular member defining a fluid passage and at least one outer tubular member disposed about the inner tubular member. A spacing volume is defined between at least the inner tubular member and an adjacent outer tubular member. The thermal isolating service tube comprises a unitary structure and has at least one portion with a curved configuration, a non-circular cross-sectional shape, or both.

Abstract: An inertial inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine is provided. A separator assembly and collector assembly are coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air. The collector inlet has a throat defining a cumulative throat area at each position along the throat length from the first throat end to the second throat end. The collector body defines a cross-sectional area associated with each position along the throat length between the first throat end and the second throat end. The collector outlet is coupled to the collector body such that scavenge air flows into the collector inlet, through the collector body, and out through the collector outlet. At a first position between the first throat end and the second throat end, the respective cross-sectional area of the collector body is greater than or equal to the respective cumulative throat area.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle separator includes a plurality of vanes. Each vane is spaced apart from at least one other adjacent vane to define a flow channel, and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a splitter. The first side wall extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall and extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge. The splitter may be rotationally coupled to the trailing edge and extend toward the leading edge. The splitter is spaced apart from the first side wall to define a scavenge volume and is rotatable between an extended position and a retracted position. The vanes may also or instead be coupled to a ring-shaped structure.