Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan case exit and an inner core housing exit. At least one of the exits is provided with a fiber optic sensing unit. The fiber optic sensing unit includes a fiber optic sensing member surrounding a circumference of the at least one of the exits. A control is programmed to calculate a nozzle area at the at least one of the exits based upon the displacement of the fiber optic sensing member. The calculated nozzle area is utilized to update nozzle area information at an electronic engine controller for the engine, and the electronic engine controller is programmed to control at least one associated component on a gas turbine engine based upon the updated nozzle area. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid is stored while a jet engine is running. After engine shutdown, the fluid is used to drive a pneumatic or hydraulic turning motor that rotates the engine's High Pressure (HP) rotor. The rotation encourages even heat distribution across the HP rotor and thus prevents bowing of the HP rotor.

Abstract: Method and system to sense ice protection fluid and verify a Fluid Ice Protection System (FIPS) is distributing the ice protection fluid correctly.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a shock wave proximate a surface of an aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first camera at a first location on an aircraft to capture a first image of a surface of the aircraft during a first time period, and capture a second image of the surface during a second time period, a second camera at a second location to capture a third image of the surface during the first time period, and capture a fourth image of the surface during the second time period. The example apparatus further includes a position calculator to identify a first position of a shock wave based on the first and third images, and a second position based on the second and fourth images, and calculate a difference between the first and the second positions, and a command generator to generate a command to control at least one of an actuator and a control surface based on the difference.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes ventilation systems having a reduced aerodynamic footprint. The vents in the ventilation systems are actuated with Shape Memory Alloys that actuate the vents on an as needed basis while effectively sealing the vents when not in operation. The present disclosure further describes a ventilation system in an aircraft nacelle that helps mitigate bowed rotors by cooling down the engine nacelle faster or by helping create a uniform temperature distribution in the nacelle. In various embodiments, the ventilation system comprises vents and fans embedded in the vents.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a shock wave proximate a surface of an aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first camera at a first location on an aircraft to capture a first image of a surface of the aircraft during a first time period, and capture a second image of the surface during a second time period, a second camera at a second location to capture a third image of the surface during the first time period, and capture a fourth image of the surface during the second time period. The example apparatus further includes a position calculator to identify a first position of a shock wave based on the first and third images, and a second position based on the second and fourth images, and calculate a difference between the first and the second positions, and a command generator to generate a command to control at least one of an actuator and a control surface based on the difference.

Abstract: A mechanical flywheel used to power an aircraft system. In one example, the flywheel is used to rotate a rotor shaft in the aircraft's engine and prevent bowing of the rotor shaft caused by a thermal gradient. In another example, the mechanical flywheel provides electrical power at peak demand times. In yet another example, the flywheel is used as a load source or sink by the engine's control system so as to aid engine operability and engine acceleration rates during abnormal flight conditions.

Abstract: Method and system to sense ice protection fluid and verify a Fluid Ice Protection System (FIPS) is distributing the ice protection fluid correctly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control thrust ramping of an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example thrust control system includes a sensor to measure a crosswind speed and a thrust manager to compare the measured crosswind speed to a crosswind threshold range. The thrust manager activates a partial thrust ramping schedule during takeoff when the measured crosswind speed is within the crosswind threshold range. The partial thrust ramping schedule is selected from a plurality of thrust ramping schedules.

Abstract: Method and system to sense ice protection fluid and verify a Fluid Ice Protection System (FIPS) is distributing the ice protection fluid correctly.

Abstract: Method and system to detect ice accumulation on ice prone surfaces of an aircraft. The method and system sweeps a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) beam across ice prone surfaces to measure the shape of the ice prone surfaces. The change in shape of the ice prone surfaces indicates the presence of ice on the ice prone surface.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising one or more concentric stator rings arranged to transfer energy and provide torque to an engine rotor or to an engine transmission. Such a piezo-electric motor improves spatial integration of an engine turning motor in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A control system for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) having a plurality of petals is disclosed. The control system may include at least one fiber optic shape sensor extending along at least one of the plurality of petals, and a light source operatively connected to the at least one fiber optic shape sensor. The control system may further include a receiver operatively connected to the at least one fiber optic shape sensor. The control system may further include a VAFN control unit in operative communication with the plurality of petals and the receiver. The VAFN control unit may be configured to receive a signal from the receiver indicative of the measured strain along the at least one fiber optic shape sensor, and calculate a nozzle area of the VAFN based on the measured strain.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising one or more concentric stator rings arranged to transfer energy and provide torque to an engine rotor or to an engine transmission. Such a piezo-electric motor improves spatial integration of an engine turning motor in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid is stored while a jet engine is running. After engine shutdown, the fluid is used to drive a pneumatic or hydraulic turning motor that rotates the engine's High Pressure (HP) rotor. The rotation encourages even heat distribution across the HP rotor and thus prevents bowing of the HP rotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes ventilation systems having a reduced aerodynamic footprint. The vents in the ventilation systems are actuated with Shape Memory Alloys that actuate the vents on an as needed basis while effectively sealing the vents when not in operation. The present disclosure further describes a ventilation system in an aircraft nacelle that helps mitigate bowed rotors by cooling down the engine nacelle faster or by helping create a uniform temperature distribution in the nacelle. In various embodiments, the ventilation system comprises vents and fans embedded in the vents.

Abstract: A mechanical flywheel used to power an aircraft system. In one example, the flywheel is used to rotate a rotor shaft in the aircraft's engine and prevent bowing of the rotor shaft caused by a thermal gradient. In another example, the mechanical flywheel provides electrical power at peak demand times. In yet another example, the flywheel is used as a load source or sink by the engine's control system so as to aid engine operability and engine acceleration rates during abnormal flight conditions.

Abstract: Method and system to sense ice protection fluid and verify a Fluid Ice Protection System (FIPS) is distributing the ice protection fluid correctly.

Abstract: Method and system to detect ice accumulation on ice prone surfaces of an aircraft. The method and system sweeps a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) beam across ice prone surfaces to measure the shape of the ice prone surfaces. The change in shape of the ice prone surfaces indicates the presence of ice on the ice prone surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control thrust ramping of an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example thrust control system includes a sensor to measure a crosswind speed and a thrust manager to compare the measured crosswind speed to a crosswind threshold range. The thrust manager activates a partial thrust ramping schedule during takeoff when the measured crosswind speed is within the crosswind threshold range. The partial thrust ramping schedule is selected from a plurality of thrust ramping schedules.