Abstract: A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system at least includes a motor with induction effect to drive a propeller or propulsion fan. The motor is directly supplied from the electrical output of a generator. The generator is driven by a variable speed engine and as such the generator has a output frequency proportional to the speed of the engine. A controller is operatively coupled to the motor, the generator and the engine. The controller is operable to control a speed of the engine and the excitation of the generator to provide an output at a target voltage and frequency to drive the motor at a desired torque and speed.

Abstract: A system for providing compressed air to pneumatic loads in a vehicle such as an aircraft is disclosed. The system may include a gas turbine engine having; a) an engine compressor with an air inlet coupled to an interior of a cabin of the vehicle; and b) a load compressor coupled to the gas turbine engine having a compressed air outlet coupled to one or more pneumatic loads of the vehicle. One or more electrically-driven cabin air compressors (CACs) have compressed air outlets coupled to the one or more pneumatic loads.

Abstract: A system for providing compressed air to pneumatic loads in a vehicle such as an aircraft, the system includes a gas turbine engine having; a) an engine compressor with an air inlet coupled to an interior of a cabin of the vehicle; and b) a load compressor coupled to the gas turbine engine having a compressed air outlet coupled to one or more pneumatic loads of the vehicle. One or more electrically driven cabin air compressors (CAC) have compressed air outlets coupled to the one or more pneumatic loads.

Abstract: A variable gear ratio gas turbine engine system includes a planetary gear set, a gas turbine engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The gas turbine engine includes at least a low-pressure compressor, a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, a high-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine. The low-pressure turbine is coupled to the low-pressure compressor via the planetary gear set. The electric machine is coupled to the planetary gear set and its rotational speed is used, at least in part, to vary the gear ratio of the planetary gear set. The controller is in operable communication with the gas turbine engine and the electric machine and is configured to control: the low-pressure turbine to rotate at a substantially constant speed and the rotational speed of the electric machine to thereby vary the gear ratio of the planetary gear set, whereby the speed at which the low-pressure compressor rotates is also varied.

Abstract: A system for driving an environmental control system (ECS) of a vehicle with ground-based electrical power may include a turbine engine on board the vehicle, coupled to the ECS to pneumatically drive the ECS, and an electric machine, on board the aircraft, mechanically coupled to the turbine engine, to drive the turbine engine. A control system such that the electric machine provides motoring assistance to the turbine engine, and that the motoring assistance is limited to match the available current from the ground-based electrical power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, in a vehicle, at least one pollution parameter; and adjusting at least one fluid flow regulating mechanism position, to regulate an intake of pollutants into an environmental control system of the vehicle, based upon the at least one pollution parameter.

Abstract: A system for reducing drag on an aircraft includes an ambient air inlet positioned in or near a wingtip fence and or winglet of the aircraft and an air pressurization device, such as an air compressor, coupled to the ambient air inlet. The air pressurization device has an inlet oriented toward the ambient air inlet. The air pressurization device has an outlet oriented toward an interior of the aircraft.

Abstract: Dual alloy Gas Turbine Engine (GTE) rotors and method for producing GTE rotors are provided. In one embodiment, the method include includes arranging bladed pieces in an annular grouping or ring formation such that shank-to-shank junctions are formed between circumferentially-adjacent bladed pieces. A first or bonding alloy is deposited along the shank-to-shank junctions utilizing a localized fusion deposition process to produce a plurality of alloy-filled joints, which join the bladed pieces in a bonded blade ring. The bonding alloy is preferably selected to have a ductility higher than and a melt point lower than the alloy from which the bladed pieces are produced. After deposition of the first alloy and formation of the alloy-filled joints, a hub disk is inserted into the central opening of the bonded blade ring. The hub disk and blade ring are then bonded utilizing, for example, a Hot Isostatic Pressing process.

Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine is provided. A first liner has a first surface and a second surface. A second liner forms a combustion chamber with the second side of the first liner, and the combustion chamber configured to receive an air-fuel mixture for combustion therein. The first liner defines a plurality of effusion cooling holes configured to form a film of cooling air on the second surface of the first liner. The plurality of effusion cooling holes includes a first effusion cooling hole extending from the first surface to the second surface and including an inlet portion extending from the first surface, a metering portion fluidly coupled to the inlet portion, and an outlet portion fluidly coupled to the metering portion and extending to the second surface. The inlet portion is larger than the metering portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving, in a vehicle, at least one pollution parameter; and adjusting at least one fluid flow regulating mechanism position, to regulate an intake of pollutants into an environmental control system of the vehicle, based upon the at least one pollution parameter.

Abstract: A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system at least includes a motor with induction effect to drive a propeller or propulsion fan. The motor is directly supplied from the electrical output of a generator. The generator is driven by a variable speed engine and as such the generator has a output frequency proportional to the speed of the engine. A controller is operatively coupled to the motor, the generator and the engine. The controller is operable to control a speed of the engine and the excitation of the generator to provide an output at a target voltage and frequency to drive the motor at a desired torque and speed.

Abstract: A system for providing compressed air to pneumatic loads in a vehicle such as an aircraft, the system includes a gas turbine engine having; a) an engine compressor with an air inlet coupled to an interior of a cabin of the vehicle; and b) a load compressor coupled to the gas turbine engine having a compressed air outlet coupled to one or more pneumatic loads of the vehicle. One or more electrically driven cabin air compressors (CAC) have compressed air outlets coupled to the one or more pneumatic loads.

Abstract: A system for reducing drag on an aircraft includes an ambient air inlet positioned in or near a wingtip fence and or winglet of the aircraft and an air pressurization device, such as an air compressor, coupled to the ambient air inlet. The air pressurization device has an inlet oriented toward the ambient air inlet. The air pressurization device has an outlet oriented toward an interior of the aircraft.

Abstract: Bladed Gas Turbine Engine (GTE) rotors including deposited transition rings are provided, as are embodiments of methods for manufacturing bladed GTE rotors. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an outer blade ring having an inner circumferential surface defining a central opening, and depositing a deposited transition ring on the inner circumferential surface of the outer blade ring. The outer blade ring can be a full bladed ring or an annular grouping of individually-fabricated bladed pieces. After deposition of the transition ring, a hub disk is inserted into the central opening such that the transition ring extends around an outer circumferential surface of the hub disk. The transition ring is then bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the hub disk utilizing, for example, a hot isostatic pressing technique to join the transition ring and the outer blade ring thereto.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) includes a controller; and a mode selector in communication with the controller and configured to select at least one of a plurality of modes. The mode is based on one of: number of occupants in an environment; activity of the occupants in the environment; destination of the environment; and performance of an engine that moves the environment. The controller is configured to change an ECS load on the system based upon the selected mode.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) includes a controller; and a mode selector in communication with the controller and configured to select at least one of a plurality of modes. The mode is based on one of: number of occupants in an environment; activity of the occupants in the environment; destination of the environment; and performance of an engine that moves the environment. The controller is configured to change an ECS load on the system based upon the selected mode.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel deoxygenation system includes a boost pump, a contactor-separator, and a centrifuge-separator pump. The boost pump is adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and inert gas from an inert gas source, and is configured to mix the fuel and inert gas and supply a fuel/gas mixture. The contactor-separator is coupled to receive the fuel/gas mixture and is configured to remove oxygen from the fuel and thereby generate and supply deoxygenated fuel with entrained purge gas and separated purge gas. The centrifuge-separator pump is coupled to receive the deoxygenated fuel with entrained purge gas and is configured to separate and remove the entrained purge gas from the deoxygenated fuel and supply the deoxygenated fuel and additional purge gas.

Abstract: A high efficiency multifunction power system for an aircraft is provided. The system includes an AC generator and a multifunction power converter-controller module including at least one multifunction power converter-controller. The at least one multifunction power converter-controller is configured to function as a power converter and a controller to perform multiple operation modes.

Abstract: A system for driving an environmental control system (ECS) of a vehicle with ground-based electrical power may include a turbine engine on board the vehicle, coupled to the ECS to pneumatically drive the ECS, and an electric machine, on board the aircraft, mechanically coupled to the turbine engine, to drive the turbine engine. A control system such that the electric machine provides motoring assistance to the turbine engine, and that the motoring assistance is limited to match the available current from the ground-based electrical power.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel deoxygenation and tank inerting system includes an inert gas source, a fuel deoxygenation system, and an air/fuel heat exchanger. The inert gas source is configured to supply inert gas having an oxygen concentration of less than 3%. The fuel deoxygenation system is adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and the inert gas from the inert gas source. The fuel deoxygenation system is configured to remove oxygen from the fuel and thereby generate and supply deoxygenated fuel and oxygen-rich purge gas. The air/fuel heat exchanger is adapted to receive compressed air from a compressed air source and the deoxygenated fuel from the fuel deoxygenation system. The air/fuel heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the compressed air to the deoxygenated fuel, to thereby supply cooled compressed air and heated deoxygenated fuel.