Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that use a tip clearance control apparatus comprising a mechanical iris, where the tip clearance control apparatus controls a distance between a tip of a blade and a ring of abradable material positioned in an adjustable opening of the mechanical iris.

Abstract: A blade tip sensor may be provided that includes a bridge-network circuit embedded in a composite body such as a ceramic matrix composite body. The bridge-network circuit may include a first resistor-capacitor circuit on a first branch and a second resistor-capacitor circuit on a second branch. Each of the first resistor-capacitor circuit and the second resistor-capacitor circuit includes a corresponding capacitor having a capacitance that depends on a distance between the corresponding capacitor and a blade of a rotor.

Abstract: A patch antenna array sensor is provided. The patch antenna array sensor includes a ceramic matrix composite body in which a patch antenna array is embedded, wherein the patch antenna array sensor is configured to detect blade tip clearance or some other aspect of one or more blades in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A patch antenna array sensor is provided.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods of de-icing or preventing ice formation are provided. Compressed air may be supplied to a vortex tube. The vortex tube may separate the compressed air into a first stream and a second stream, the first stream hotter than the second stream. A sensor body may be warmed by the first stream, and the second stream may be directed away from the sensor body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that use a tip clearance control apparatus comprising a mechanical iris, where the tip clearance control apparatus controls a distance between a tip of a blade and a ring of abradable material positioned in an adjustable opening of the mechanical iris.

Abstract: A blade tip sensor may be provided that includes a bridge-network circuit embedded in a composite body such as a ceramic matrix composite body. The bridge-network circuit may include a first resistor-capacitor circuit on a first branch and a second resistor-capacitor circuit on a second branch. Each of the first resistor-capacitor circuit and the second resistor-capacitor circuit includes a corresponding capacitor having a capacitance that depends on a distance between the corresponding capacitor and a blade of a rotor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an oil circuit for providing oil to the engine, a fuel supply line, and an air-oil separating unit. The air-oil separating unit is configured to receive aerated oil from the engine via the oil circuit, flow the aerated oil in approximately a helical direction to de-aerate the oil, receive fuel from the fuel supply line, cool the aerated oil with the fuel while the aerated oil flows in the approximately helical direction, causing the fuel to heat, and pass the cooled and de-aerated oil and pass the heated fuel to the engine.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods of de-icing or preventing ice formation are provided. Compressed air may be supplied to a vortex tube. The vortex tube may separate the compressed air into a first stream and a second stream, the first stream hotter than the second stream.

Abstract: A calibration block for calibrating a touch probe includes a calibration block body forming a bored hole providing a concave measurement surface, and a three dimensional object protruding from the calibration block body and providing a convex measurement surface, wherein the convex measurement surface provides opposing measurement contact points in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: In some examples, a technique includes forming, on a surface of a first layer of material, a second layer of material using an additive manufacturing process. The technique also may include imaging the second layer using a laser imaging device to generate a second layer image. Further, the technique may include determining, by a computing device, whether a thickness of the second layer, in a direction substantially normal to the surface of the first layer of material, is within a defined range of thickness for the second layer.

Abstract: A calibration block for calibrating a touch probe includes a calibration block body forming a bored hole providing a concave measurement surface, and a three dimensional object protruding from the calibration block body and providing a convex measurement surface, wherein the convex measurement surface provides opposing measurement contact points in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an oil circuit for providing oil to the engine, a fuel supply line, and an air-oil separating unit. The air-oil separating unit is configured to receive aerated oil from the engine via the oil circuit, flow the aerated oil in approximately a helical direction to de-aerate the oil, receive fuel from the fuel supply line, cool the aerated oil with the fuel while the aerated oil flows in the approximately helical direction, causing the fuel to heat, and pass the cooled and de-aerated oil and pass the heated fuel to the engine.

Abstract: In some examples, a technique includes forming, on a surface of a first layer of material, a second layer of material using an additive manufacturing process. The technique also may include imaging the second layer using a laser imaging device to generate a second layer image. Further, the technique may include determining, by a computing device, whether a thickness of the second layer, in a direction substantially normal to the surface of the first layer of material, is within a defined range of thickness for the second layer.

Abstract: A wheel pylon includes a tubular mounting shaft that slidably receives a tubular support shaft. A helical spring is disposed within the shafts and a stop, formed from a resilient material, is mounted upon an end of the support shaft. The wheel pylon extends axially to accommodate wheel discs having different axial recess depths.

Abstract: A protective cover that is shaped as a mirror image of a portion of a wheel surface is attached to a support plate of a wheel lathe chuck assembly to protect the portion of the vehicle wheel surface during machining.

Abstract: A single tool that provides multiple machining operations for forming a lug hole through a vehicle wheel hub includes an end portion having a first diameter and a mid-portion having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. A spade drill bit is mounted upon the end portion and a bore cutting tool is mounted upon the mid-portion.

Abstract: A chuck for mounting wheel castings having different diameters upon a wheel lathe for machining the casting to final shape is provided. The chuck includes stepped jaw inserts that cooperate with corresponding stepped part supports to securely mount the wheel castings upon the chuck.

Abstract: A wheel chuck includes a plurality of moveable jaws mounted upon a support structure. A plurality of moveable counterweights are mounted upon the support structure with each counterweight opposite from and connected to a corresponding one of the jaws. Upon rotation of the chuck the counterweights develop forces in opposition to centrifugal forces acting upon the jaws.

Abstract: A wheel chuck assembly includes a support plate having at least one aperture formed therethrough. The support plate is adapted to be mounted upon a lathe spindle. An air conveying device is mounted adjacent to the support plate and is operable to induce an air flow through the support plate aperture such that metal chips are drawn through the support plate aperture.