Abstract: A fuel return valve and system includes a flow-level select and shut-off valve and a servo control valve. The flow-level select and shut-off valve includes a first fuel inlet, a second fuel inlet, a return-to-tank fuel outlet, and a valve element movable between a shut-off position, a mid-flow position, and a max-flow position. The servo control valve is coupled to the flow-level select and shut-off valve and is configured to control relative fluid pressures therein to selectively move the valve element to the shut-off position, the mid-flow position, and the max-flow position.

Abstract: A thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) for a case assembly of an aircraft is provided. The TRAS includes a fuel-driven motor; one or more actuators coupled to the fuel-driven motor; and a transcowl coupled to the actuators such that the fuel-driven drives the transcowl during operation.

Abstract: A case assembly for an aircraft is provided. The assembly includes a thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) configured to provide braking assistance to the aircraft; a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) system configured to adjust an engine exhaust of the aircraft; and a common control group coupled to the TRAS and the VAFN system for controlling operation of the TRAS and the VAFN system.

Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) system for an aircraft is provided. The VAFN system includes a fluid-driven motor configured to receive a fluid; one or more actuators coupled to the fluid-driven motor; and a nozzle assembly coupled to the actuators such that the motor drives the nozzle assembly during operation.

Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel metering pump and a servo-flow pump that are used to supply fuel to one or more fuel manifolds and one or more fluid-operated actuators, respectively. The fuel metering pump and the servo-flow pump are driven by the same electric motor(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for lubricating a piston-to-shoe interface in a hydraulic motor or pump. Piston assemblies are installed in a housing that are each adapted to receive a reciprocating drive force and are each configured, in response thereto, to cyclically move between an intake direction and a discharge direction. Each piston assembly includes a piston and a piston shoe, and the piston, the piston shoe, or both have a plurality of pockets formed in a surface that defines a piston-to-shoe interface. When the pistons cyclically move, liquid is supplied to each piston-to-shoe interface to form a hydrostatic bearing at each piston-to-shoe interface. A portion of the liquid that is supplied to each piston-to-shoe interface is selectively supplied to and from one or more of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel control system is provided that includes a fuel metering valve and a thrust control valve. The fuel metering valve includes a metering valve inlet and a metering valve outlet. The metering valve inlet is adapted to receive a flow of fuel, and is configured to control the flow of fuel through the metering valve outlet. The thrust control valve is adapted to receive thrust control valve override signals and is configured, in response thereto, to move from a first position, in which flow from the metering valve is not impacted, and a second position, in which flow from the metering valve is blocked while flow through a fixed-area orifice is allowed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling a variable displacement piston pump that supplies fluid to one or more loads. If fluid is being supplied through a metering valve to a load, then the variable displacement piston pump is controlled to operate in accordance with a variable flow/variable discharge pressure scheme. However, if fluid is not being supplied through the metering valve to the load, then the variable displacement piston pump is controlled to operate in accordance with a variable flow/constant discharge pressure scheme.

Abstract: An auxiliary cam assembly for an axial piston pump includes an auxiliary cam plate and an auxiliary cam retainer. The auxiliary cam plate is configured to be coupled a rotatable shaft. A central shaft opening extends through the auxiliary cam plate. A plurality of piston openings surround the central opening and extend through the auxiliary cam plate. A circumferential cut is formed in and extends around the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary cam plate. The auxiliary cam retainer has a plurality of ramps formed therein, and each ramp slopes upwardly from a first end to a second end. A plurality of substantially flat pads are disposed between each of the ramps, and each pad extends between the first end of one ramp and the second end of another ramp.

Abstract: An ecology valve (EV) fuel return system includes a housing assembly, an ecology valve, and a fuel routing assembly. The ecology valve includes an EV piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly for movement between a fuel storage position and a fuel return position, a fuel storage chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly, and an EV control chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly. The fuel routing assembly, which is fluidly coupled to the EV control chamber and to the fuel storage chamber, is configured to route fuel: (i) from the fuel storage chamber to a fuel supply system when a gas turbine engine (GTE) is in a start-up mode, and (ii) from the first fuel manifold and from the EV control chamber to the fuel storage chamber when the GTE is in a shut-down mode.

Abstract: A direct metering fuel supply system includes a plurality of axial gap motors, a fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump, and a gas turbine engine control. Each axial gap motor is configured to be selectively energized and is operable, upon being energized, to supply a drive torque at a drive speed. The fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump is coupled to each of the axial gap motors to receive the drive torque selectively supplied therefrom and is operable, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel at a flow rate dependent on the drive speed. The gas turbine engine control is adapted to receive fuel flow commands and is operable, in response to the fuel flow commands, to energize one of the plurality of axial gap motors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ecology valve (EV) fuel return system includes a housing assembly, an ecology valve, and a fuel routing assembly. The ecology valve includes an EV piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly for movement between a fuel storage position and a fuel return position, a fuel storage chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly, and an EV control chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly. The fuel routing assembly, which is fluidly coupled to the EV control chamber and to the fuel storage chamber, is configured to route fuel: (i) from the fuel storage chamber to a fuel supply system when a gas turbine engine (GTE) is in a start-up mode, and (ii) from the first fuel manifold and from the EV control chamber to the fuel storage chamber when the GTE is in a shut-down mode.

Abstract: A fuel metering system for supplying fuel to a plurality of loads includes a variable displacement piston pump having an adjustable hanger that is movable to a plurality of positions. The variable displacement piston pump is configured to receive a drive torque and, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel to the plurality of loads at a flow rate dependent on the position of the adjustable hanger. A hanger actuator is coupled to receive hanger position commands and is operable, in response thereto, to move the adjustable hanger to the commanded position. A pump control mechanism is coupled to receive the fuel flow commands supplied by the gas turbine engine controller and is operable, in response thereto, to supply the hanger position commands.

Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel metering pump and a servo-flow pump that are used to supply fuel to one or more fuel manifolds and one or more fluid-operated actuators, respectively. The fuel metering pump and the servo-flow pump are driven by the same electric motor(s).

Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine propulsion engine includes a system to transfer power from the low pressure turbine to the high pressure turbine and/or extract additional load from the low pressure turbine during certain turbofan engine operational conditions. The systems include a hydrostatic power transfer system that includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor coupled to the low pressure and high pressure turbine, respectively. The systems additionally include a mechanical and electrical load shifting/loading sharing systems that use clutches and gear assemblies to share and/or shift load between the turbines.

Abstract: A direct metering fuel supply system includes a plurality of axial gap motors, a fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump, and a gas turbine engine control. Each axial gap motor is configured to be selectively energized and is operable, upon being energized, to supply a drive torque at a drive speed. The fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump is coupled to each of the axial gap motors to receive the drive torque selectively supplied therefrom and is operable, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel at a flow rate dependent on the drive speed. The gas turbine engine control is adapted to receive fuel flow commands and is operable, in response to the fuel flow commands, to energize one of the plurality of axial gap motors.

Abstract: A fuel metering system for supplying fuel to a plurality of loads includes a variable displacement piston pump having an adjustable hanger that is movable to a plurality of positions. The variable displacement piston pump is configured to receive a drive torque and, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel to the plurality of loads at a flow rate dependent on the position of the adjustable hanger. A hanger actuator is coupled to receive hanger position commands and is operable, in response thereto, to move the adjustable hanger to the commanded position. A pump control mechanism is coupled to receive the fuel flow commands supplied by the gas turbine engine controller and is operable, in response thereto, to supply the hanger position commands.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling a variable displacement piston pump that supplies fluid to one or more loads. If fluid is being supplied through a metering valve to a load, then the variable displacement piston pump is controlled to operate in accordance with a variable flow/variable discharge pressure scheme. However, if fluid is not being supplied through the metering valve to the load, then the variable displacement piston pump is controlled to operate in accordance with a variable flow/constant discharge pressure scheme.

Abstract: A rotor body (22) having a plurality of cylindrical bores (24) each adapted to receive a piston (30) for reciprocating movement therein, each of the bores (30) being lined with a ceramic liner (42) having a first split (44), and a method of forming a rotor (16) having a ceramic bore liner (42) that includes the steps of providing a rotor body having at least one bore (140), providing a ceramic bore liner having a first end, a second end and a split having a width (142), and compressing the bore liner to decrease the width and securing the bore liner in the at least one bore (144).

Abstract: A rotor body (22) having a plurality of cylindrical bores (24) each adapted to receive a piston (30) for reciprocating movement therein, each of the bores (30) being lined with a ceramic liner (42) having a first split (44), and a method of forming a rotor (16) having a ceramic bore liner (42) that includes the steps of providing a rotor body having at least one bore (140), providing a ceramic bore liner having a first end, a second end and a split having a width (142), and compressing the bore liner to decrease the width and securing the bore liner in the at least one bore (144).