Abstract: A gas turbine combustor assembly includes: a primary combustion chamber in fluid communication with a primary fuel outlet of a primary fuel injector; a torch igniter coupled to the primary combustion chamber, the torch igniter including an auxiliary combustion chamber and an auxiliary fuel injector having an auxiliary fuel outlet in fluid communication with the auxiliary combustion chamber; and a fuel circuit including a first supply flowpath between a fuel inlet and the primary fuel injector, a second supply flowpath between the fuel inlet and the auxiliary fuel injector, and a bypass flowpath between the auxiliary fuel injector and the primary fuel injector.

Abstract: An actuator converts linear motion into rotational motion. The actuator includes a power piston having a longitudinal axis. The power piston is configured to move back and forth along the longitudinal axis. A slider bearing is disposed within a cross-bore opening in the power piston. The cross-bore opening has a slider bearing axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The slider bearing is configured to move back and forth within the cross-bore opening. An output shaft has a central axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal and the slider bearing axes. The output shaft includes an eccentric shaft pin inserted through a slot in the power piston and disposed within a cavity of the slider bearing. The eccentric shaft pin is offset from the central axis of the output shaft. The reciprocating movement of the power piston causes the slider bearing to move back and forth rotating the output shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor assembly includes: a primary combustion chamber in fluid communication with a primary fuel outlet of a primary fuel injector; a torch igniter coupled to the primary combustion chamber, the torch igniter including an auxiliary combustion chamber and an auxiliary fuel injector having an auxiliary fuel outlet in fluid communication with the auxiliary combustion chamber; and a fuel circuit including a first supply flowpath between a fuel inlet and the primary fuel injector, a second supply flowpath between the fuel inlet and the auxiliary fuel injector, and a bypass flowpath between the auxiliary fuel injector and the primary fuel injector.

Abstract: A propeller governor for controlling blade pitch of a variable pitch propeller has a hydraulic control circuit coupled to the propeller to change blade pitch in response to hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic control circuit has a first pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a first range of blade pitch, and a second, different pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a second range of blade pitch. An electrohydraulic servo valve of the governor is configured to adjust hydraulic pressure in the first pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the first range and to adjust hydraulic pressure in the second pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the second range.

Abstract: A propeller governor for controlling blade pitch of a variable pitch propeller has a hydraulic control circuit coupled to the propeller to change blade pitch in response to hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic control circuit has a first pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a first range of blade pitch, and a second, different pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a second range of blade pitch. An electrohydraulic servo valve of the governor is configured to adjust hydraulic pressure in the first pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the first range and to adjust hydraulic pressure in the second pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the second range.

Abstract: A dual-supply fluid distribution system includes a first pump having an inlet and an outlet. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow. A second pump has an inlet and an outlet, and is configured to supply a second fluid flow. A check valve is coupled between the first and second pump outlets. The check valve is configured to combine the second fluid flow with the first fluid. A bypass valve is coupled to the outlet of the first pump. The bypass valve has an integral pilot valve and is configured to permit fluid flow from the pump outlets in excess of the fluid demand to recirculate back to the first and second pump inlets. The bypass valve and integral pilot valve are configured to cause the check valve to open when the flow of fluid through the bypass valve is below a threshold amount.

Abstract: A common regulator valve is provided for a variable displacement pump fuel metering scheme in which the common regulator valve both controls working output to a pump actuator to control displacement of the variable displacement pump and also to control bypass of excess fuel flow. The regulator valve also includes a differential piston which generates a compensation force off of the bypass flow in order to compensate for changes in spring force and flow reaction force at different system pressures and operational states. As a result, errors in the metered fuel flow can be either eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: A dual-supply fluid distribution system includes a first pump having an inlet and an outlet. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow. A second pump has an inlet and an outlet, and is configured to supply a second fluid flow. A check valve is coupled between the first and second pump outlets. The check valve is configured to combine the second fluid flow with the first fluid. A bypass valve is coupled to the outlet of the first pump. The bypass valve has an integral pilot valve and is configured to permit fluid flow from the pump outlets in excess of the fluid demand to recirculate back to the first and second pump inlets. The bypass valve and integral pilot valve are configured to cause the check valve to open when the flow of fluid through the bypass valve is below a threshold amount.

Abstract: A system for metering fuel to an engine. The system includes a fuel metering valve having a throttled inlet and a throttled outlet. The system also provides regulation of redundant pump supplies of fuel to the engine. The throttling of the inlet to the fuel metering valve is provided by a valve that also functions to selectively couple a second fuel pump to the fuel metering valve.

Abstract: A system for metering fuel to an engine. The system includes a fuel metering valve having a throttled inlet and a throttled outlet. The system also provides regulation of redundant pump supplies of fuel to the engine. The throttling of the inlet to the fuel metering valve is provided by a valve that also functions to selectively couple a second fuel pump to the fuel metering valve.

Abstract: A common regulator valve is provided for a variable displacement pump fuel metering scheme in which the common regulator valve both controls working output to a pump actuator to control displacement of the variable displacement pump and also to control bypass of excess fuel flow. The regulator valve also includes a differential piston which generates a compensation force off of the bypass flow in order to compensate for changes in spring force and flow reaction force at different system pressures and operational states. As a result, errors in the metered fuel flow can be either eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: An electrical actuator is particularly suited for driving a wellhead valve for regulating the flow of natural gas from a production well. The electrical actuator can be driven using the existing local power supply in wellhead valve systems, typically a solar panel and a battery. The electrical actuator may include a gear reduction train, a brake and a manual input override with clutch protection. The electrical actuator can be configured in three different operational modes that provides a predetermined position upon power loss including fail-bias fixed, fail open and fail bias closed.

Abstract: An electrical actuator is particularly suited for driving a wellhead valve for regulating the flow of natural gas from a production well. The electrical actuator can be driven using the existing local power supply in wellhead valve systems, typically a solar panel and a battery. The electrical actuator may include a gear reduction train, a brake and a manual input override with clutch protection. The electrical actuator can be configured in three different operational modes that provides a predetermined position upon power loss including fail-bias fixed, fail open and fail bias closed.

Abstract: A novel two-stage fuel metering system is disclosed for metering the flown of fuel between a fuel supply and a combustion chamber of an engine the fuel in the supply being pressurized by a pump and delivered to the combustion chamber. The fuel metering system includes a first primary passageway for receiving fuel from a fuel supply and a second primary passageway fluidically connected to the first passageway for delivering fuel to a combustion chamber. A servo chamber is fluidically connected to both the first and second primary passageways and a servo valve is disposed between the first passageway and the servo chamber to selectively regulate the flow of fuel entering the chamber. A metering valve is disposed between the first and second passageways to regulate the flow of fuel from the first passageway to the second passageway the metering valve being biased to a closed position that obstructs the fuel flow.