Abstract: A node of a radio frequency system can include a signal splitter, a power rectifier and conditioner, a communication filter, and a network processor. The signal splitter is configured to split a radio frequency transmission between a power path and a communications path within the node. The power rectifier and conditioner are configured to produce a conditioned power signal based on power received through the power path. The communication filter of the communications path is configured to produce a filtered communication signal. The network processor is powered by the conditioned power signal and configured to extract encoded information from the filtered communication signal.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a waveguide system includes a first node, a second node, and a double-ridge waveguide. The double-ridge waveguide includes a metallic shell surrounding a waveguide core that forms a communication and radio frequency power transmission path in an aerospace environment. The first node is configured to propagate at least one communication channel and a radio frequency power transmission through the waveguide core to the second node during operation of the waveguide system in the aerospace environment.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate using a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the nodes using electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency-based repeater is in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extracted from at least one of the electromagnetic signals when a signal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to use energy stored in an onboard energy storage system when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly may include, among other things, a fan section including a fan, the fan including a plurality of fan blades, a diameter of the fan having a dimension D, each fan blade having a leading edge, and a forward most portion on the leading edges of the fan blades in a first reference plane, a geared architecture, a turbine section including a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, the low pressure turbine driving the fan through the geared architecture, a nacelle surrounding the fan, the nacelle including an inlet portion forward of the fan, a forward edge on the inlet portion in a second reference plane, and a length of the inlet portion having a dimension L between the first reference plane and the second reference plane. A dimensional relationship of L/D may be between 0.30 and 0.40.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes, among other things, a fan section including a fan, the fan including a plurality of fan blades, a diameter of the fan having a dimension D that is based on a dimension of the fan blades, a turbine section including a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, the low pressure turbine driving the fan, a nacelle including an inlet portion forward of the fan, a length of the inlet portion having a dimension L, and a dimensional relationship of L/D between 0.30 and 0.40.

Abstract: A system includes a network of nodes. A controller of the system is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency transceiver is configured to establish communication between the controller and a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a waveguide system and a radio frequency transceiver/detector coupled to the waveguide system and configured to emit a calibration signal in the waveguide system to establish a reference baseline between the radio frequency transceiver/detector and a calibration plane associated with an aperture of the waveguide system, emit a measurement signal in the waveguide system to transmit a radio frequency signal from the radio frequency transceiver/detector out of the aperture of the waveguide system, and detect a reflection of the measurement signal at the radio frequency transceiver/detector based on an interaction between the measurement signal and a component of the machine. A measurement result of the reflection of the measurement signal can be adjusted with respect to a reflection of the calibration signal.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies, where the machine includes a cooler portion and a hotter portion. The system includes a means for communicating with the network of nodes using a higher frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the cooler portion of the machine and a lower frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the hotter portion of the machine.

Abstract: A node of a radio frequency waveguide system can include a waveguide interface, a signal splitter, a power rectifier and conditioner, a communication filter, and a network processor. The waveguide interface is configured to communicate through a waveguide in the radio frequency waveguide system. The signal splitter is configured to split a radio frequency transmission received at the waveguide interface between a power path and a communications path within the node. The power rectifier and conditioner are configured to produce a conditioned power signal based on power received through the power path. The communication filter of the communications path is configured to produce a filtered communication signal. The network processor is powered by the conditioned power signal and configured to extract encoded information from the filtered communication signal.

Abstract: A node of a radio frequency waveguide system can include a waveguide interface, a signal splitter, a power rectifier and conditioner, a communication filter, and a network processor. The waveguide interface is configured to communicate through a waveguide in the radio frequency waveguide system. The signal splitter is configured to split a radio frequency transmission received at the waveguide interface between a power path and a communications path within the node. The power rectifier and conditioner are configured to produce a conditioned power signal based on power received through the power path. The communication filter of the communications path is configured to produce a filtered communication signal. The network processor is powered by the conditioned power signal and configured to extract encoded information from the filtered communication signal.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a waveguide system includes a first node, a second node, and a double-ridge waveguide. The double-ridge waveguide includes a metallic shell surrounding a waveguide core that forms a communication and radio frequency power transmission path in an aerospace environment. The first node is configured to propagate at least one communication channel and a radio frequency power transmission through the waveguide core to the second node during operation of the waveguide system in the aerospace environment.

Abstract: A multi-mode microwave waveguide blade sensing system includes a transceiver, a waveguide, and a probe sensor. The transceiver generates a microwave energy signal having a first waveguide mode and a different second waveguide mode. The waveguide includes a first end that receives the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor includes a proximate end that receives the microwave energy signal from the transceiver and a distal end including an aperture that outputs the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor directs the microwave energy signal at a first direction based on the first waveguide mode and a different second direction different based on the second waveguide mode. The probe sensor receives different levels of reflected microwave energy based at least in part on a location at which the at least one microwave energy signal is reflected from the machine.

Abstract: A multi-mode microwave waveguide blade sensing system includes a transceiver, a waveguide, and a probe sensor. The transceiver generates a microwave energy signal having a first waveguide mode and a different second waveguide mode. The waveguide includes a first end that receives the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor includes a proximate end that receives the microwave energy signal from the transceiver and a distal end including an aperture that outputs the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor directs the microwave energy signal at a first direction based on the first waveguide mode and a different second direction different based on the second waveguide mode. The probe sensor receives different levels of reflected microwave energy based at least in part on a location at which the at least one microwave energy signal is reflected from the machine.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, a controller, and a power extraction system within at least one of the nodes. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies. The controller is configured to communicate with the network of nodes by transmitting the one or more radio frequencies through one or more waveguides. The power extraction system is configured to extract power from the one or more radio frequencies as a first power source, extract power from a second power source, and provide power to one or more components of the system based on power extracted from either or both of the first power source and the second power source.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate using a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the nodes using electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency-based repeater is in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extracted from at least one of the electromagnetic signals when a signal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to use energy stored in an onboard energy storage system when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold.

Abstract: A fan section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan rotor having fan blades, and a plurality of fan exit guide vanes positioned downstream of the fan rotor. The fan rotor is configured to be driven through a gear reduction. A ratio of a number of fan exit guide vanes to a number of fan blades is defined. The fan exit guide vanes are provided with optimized sweep and optimized lean.

Abstract: An engine system of an aircraft includes an energy storage system, a gas turbine engine, and a controller. The gas turbine engine includes a low spool, a high spool, a low-spool generator operably coupled to the low spool, and a high-spool electric motor operably coupled to the high spool. The controller is configured to detect a braking condition of the aircraft, transfer power from the low-spool generator to the energy storage system based on the storage capacity state of the energy storage system, and transfer power to the high spool through the high-spool electric motor to support combustion in the gas turbine engine while a rotational speed of the low spool is reduced responsive to the low-spool generator extracting energy from the low spool.

Abstract: A multi-angle multi-wave array may comprise a first set of sensing elements, a second set of sensing elements, and a third set of sensing elements wherein the first set of sensing elements, the second set of sensing elements, and the third set of sensing elements are collectively configured to detect and discriminate between categories of foreign object debris including solid objects and particulates including silicate sand, water vapor, dust, volcanic ash, and smoke.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate using a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the nodes using electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extracted from at least one of the electromagnetic signals when a signal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to use energy stored in an onboard energy storage system when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a controller configured to output a radio frequency signal, and at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of monitored parameter of a machine. The radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a waveguide and a radio frequency interface module. The waveguide is in signal communication with the controller and is configured to guide the radio frequency signal toward the at least one connected node. The radio frequency interface module is configured to establish signal communication between the controller and the at least one connected node, and includes at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.