Abstract: A health monitoring system including an array of microphones, a data collection system, and analytic software used to detect health status, pending malfunctions, or faults of several disparate, engine subsystems. The system can be used to monitor health of the main engines, the engine nacelles, and auxiliary power units (APU) on the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an aircraft engine, a starter motor, an engine fuel delivery system, an engine ignition system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the starter motor, engine fuel delivery system, and engine ignition system. The controller is configured to automatically initiate operation of the starter motor as needed to start the aircraft engine while the aircraft engine is not running. Optionally, the controller may be configured to execute operations in accordance with either or both of two modes of operation. In the first mode, the controller automatically initiates operation of the starter motor for an aircraft engine that is not running while the aircraft is in flight. In the second mode, the controller automatically initiates operation of the starter motor for an aircraft engine that is not running while the aircraft is on ground. These operations can be done by a single, multi-position control.

Abstract: A system (166) for transferring mechanical power in a turbine engine (150/151) including a low pressure spool (162) and a high pressure spool (156) includes a power transfer unit (168) coupled between an output shaft (172) of the low pressure spool (162) and a drive shaft (174) of the high pressure spool (156) to mechanically link the low pressure spool (162) to the high pressure spool (156), and a clutch (170) coupled to the power transfer unit (168), wherein the clutch (170) is configured to transfer power produced from the low pressure spool (162) to the high pressure spool (156).

Abstract: Vehicle propulsion control systems, vehicles including the same, and associated methods. A method of regulating the operation of a plurality of engines of a vehicle includes, for each of the plurality of engines, receiving engine status information, assigning an engine health score, and assigning an engine status identifier. The method further includes comparing the operational fitness of two or more engines and modulating an operational configuration of one or more engines. In examples, a vehicle propulsion control system for controlling the operation of a plurality of engines of a vehicle includes a propulsion executive controller (PEC) and a plurality of electronic engine controllers (EECs) that control the operation of respective engines. The PEC is configured to generate and transmit an engine action signal for controlling the operation of the one or more respective engines. In some examples, an aircraft includes a plurality of engines and the vehicle propulsion control system.

Abstract: Controlling a movement of an aircraft. A computer system detects a position of a group of integrated control levers for the aircraft. The computer system controls a forward thrust, a drag, and a reverse thrust generated by the aircraft based on the position of the group of integrated control levers.

Abstract: A method of integrating an electric motor or generator as part of an aircraft engine shaft. The motor is used to rotate the rotor so as to cool the rotor in a temperature gradient. The generator is used to provide power to the aircraft. In one or more examples, a power generation device includes a gas turbine engine including a rotor shaft and a first casing around the rotor shaft; a transmission connecting the rotor shaft to a gearbox, the transmission comprising a drive shaft and a second casing around the drive shaft; and a brushless DC motor integrated with the engine and including one or more permanent magnets and one or more coils.

Abstract: A health monitoring system including an array of microphones, a data collection system, and analytic software used to detect health status, pending malfunctions, or faults of several disparate, engine subsystems. The system can be used to monitor health of the main engines, the engine nacelles, and auxiliary power units (APU) on the aircraft.

Abstract: A system (166) for transferring mechanical power in a turbine engine (150/151) including a low pressure spool (162) and a high pressure spool (156) includes a power transfer unit (168) coupled between an output shaft (172) of the low pressure spool (162) and a drive shaft (174) of the high pressure spool (156) to mechanically link the low pressure spool (162) to the high pressure spool (156), and a clutch (170) coupled to the power transfer unit (168), wherein the clutch (170) is configured to transfer power produced from the low pressure spool (162) to the high pressure spool (156).

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: An engine turning “clock work” motor including two shape memory alloy (SMA) torque tube actuators, ratcheting mechanisms, and gearing. The gearing communicates the SMA torque tube actuators with a common gear that applies torque to a shaft, so that while one torque tube is heated and applying torque, the other torque tube is relaxed (using a cooling mechanism). The ratchet prevents the relaxing torque tube from applying torque in the incorrect direction.

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: 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: 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: An engine turning “clock work” motor including two shape memory alloy (SMA) torque tube actuators, ratcheting mechanisms, and gearing. The gearing communicates the SMA torque tube actuators with a common gear that applies torque to a shaft, so that while one torque tube is heated and applying torque, the other torque tube is relaxed (using a cooling mechanism). The ratchet prevents the relaxing torque tube from applying torque in the incorrect direction.

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 method of integrating an electric motor or generator as part of an aircraft engine shaft. The motor is used to rotate the rotor so as to cool the rotor in a temperature gradient. The generator is used to provide power to the aircraft.

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.