Abstract: A rotational position of a variable-vane of a variable-vane turbine nozzle upstream of a turbine of a gas-turbine engine is biased towards a corresponding rotational position that will mitigate against an overspeed condition of the turbine during operation of the gas-turbine engine. When the turbine is operating at a rotational speed that is less than an overspeed threshold, the rotational position of the variable-vane is controlled independently of the biasing using a variable-vane actuator operatively coupled to the variable-vane. Responsive to a rotational speed of the turbine in excess of the overspeed threshold, the variable-vane actuator is operatively decoupled from the variable-vane so as to provide for the variable-vane to be repositioned towards the corresponding rotational position that will mitigate against the overspeed condition.

Abstract: A sacrificial outer sleeve of a self-eroding single-use gas-turbine-engine igniter contains a main pyrotechnic composition and an initiator embedded therein proximate to a distal portion of the sacrificial outer sleeve. The sacrificial outer sleeve extends within a combustion chamber of the gas-turbine engine when operatively coupled thereto so as to provide for igniting a fuel/air mixture therein. The sacrificial outer sleeve is constructed of a material that is consumable either responsive to combustion of the main pyrotechnic composition responsive to activation of the initiator responsive to an actuation signal communicated via an associated signal conduit, or, responsive to a subsequent operation of said gas-turbine engine to which the igniter is operatively coupled, when operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures and at least one fluidic diode element. A branch inlet portion of at least one collector-inlet interface structure, in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion, provides for receiving exhaust gases from a corresponding separate exhaust port of an intermittent-combustion internal combustion engine. A main inlet portion of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector. The branch inlet portion is in fluid communication with the outlet portion via a collector inlet port that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction with the fluid conduit of the collector.

Abstract: A sacrificial outer sleeve of a self-eroding single-use gas-turbine-engine igniter contains a main pyrotechnic composition and an initiator embedded therein proximate to a distal portion of the sacrificial outer sleeve. The sacrificial outer sleeve extends within a combustion chamber of the gas-turbine engine when operatively coupled thereto so as to provide for igniting a fuel/air mixture therein. The sacrificial outer sleeve is constructed of a material that is consumable either responsive to combustion of the main pyrotechnic composition responsive to activation of the initiator responsive to an actuation signal communicated via an associated signal conduit, or, responsive to a subsequent operation of said gas-turbine engine to which the igniter is operatively coupled, when operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures and at least one fluidic diode element. A branch inlet portion of at least one collector-inlet interface structure, in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion, provides for receiving exhaust gases from a corresponding separate exhaust port of an intermittent-combustion internal combustion engine. A main inlet portion of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector. The branch inlet portion is in fluid communication with the outlet portion via a collector inlet port that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction with the fluid conduit of the collector.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b) spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?) and at least one fluidic diode element (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26?, 26?). A branch inlet portion (20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 20.3??) of at least one collector-inlet interface structure (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?), in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion (14, 14.x), provides for receiving fluid from a source of fluid (12). A main inlet portion (20.x?) of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion (20.x?) thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b). The branch inlet portion (20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 20.3??) is in fluid communication with the outlet portion (20.x?) via a collector inlet port (56?, 106) that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction (60) with the fluid conduit of the collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b).

Abstract: An aircraft engine incorporates one or more externally-visible illuminators that are illuminated responsive to an activation signal. At least one of a quantity, a location, a pattern, a sequence, a color, or a color pattern of the one or more externally-visible illuminators, a control of at least one color of the one or more externally-visible illuminators, or a control of at least one intensity of the one or more externally-visible illuminators, is uniquely associated with the manufacturer of the aircraft engine, so as to provide for distinguishing the manufacturer of the aircraft engine while the aircraft engine is in operation in an aircraft.

Abstract: Liquid fuel from a rotary fluid trap is atomized by a sharp edge on an inside surface of an aft cavity of a bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine and directed into each of a plurality of associated hollow blades through corresponding blade inlet ducts that are in fluid communication with corresponding aft hollow interior portions of each blade. A radially-extending central rib within each blade partitions the hollow interior thereof into aft and forward hollow interior portions that are in fluid communication through an associated opening in the central rib and through a radially-extending gap between the central rib and the interior surface of the blade. A blade outlet duct provides for fluid communication between the forward hollow interior portion and a forward cavity of the bladed rotor, and a rotor outlet duct provides for discharging the fuel from a radially-inboard portion of the forward cavity.

Abstract: A fluid-conduit collector (20, 20.x, 20a, 20b) spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?) and at least one fluidic diode element (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26?, 26?). A branch inlet portion (20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 20.3??) of at least one collector-inlet interface structure (24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24?, 24?), in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion (14, 14.x), provides for receiving fluid from a source of fluid (12). A main inlet portion (20.x?) of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion (20.x?) thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector 20, 20.x, 20a 20b). The branch inlet to on 20??, 20.1??, 20.2??, 203??) is in fluid communication with the outlet portion (20.x?) via a collector inlet port (56?, 106) that is at least partially bounded by a relatively sharp-edged junction (60) with the fluid conduit of the collector (20. 20.x, 20a, 20b).

Abstract: An aftwardly-extending internally-threaded boss of a boreless-hub compressor rotor of a turbocharger engages a corresponding externally-threaded forward end portion of an associated rotor shaft of the turbocharger, wherein an internal surface of an inner race of an associated rolling-element bearing of the turbocharger is in engagement with both an external surface of the rotor shaft and an external surface of the internally-threaded boss of the boreless-hub compressor rotor, wherein the rotor shaft extends through the inner race of the rolling-element bearing.

Abstract: An aftwardly-extending internally-threaded boss of a boreless-hub compressor rotor of a turbocharger engages a corresponding externally-threaded forward end portion of an associated rotor shaft of the turbocharger, wherein an internal surface of an inner race of an associated rolling-element bearing of the turbocharger is in engagement with both an external surface of the rotor shaft and an external surface of the internally-threaded boss of the boreless-hub compressor rotor, wherein the rotor shaft extends through the inner race of the rolling-element bearing.

Abstract: Fuel (12) is supplied to a rotatable portion (118) of a gas turbine engine (10) comprising a rotor (24) and at least one blade (26, 26.1) operatively coupled thereto, so as to provide for cooling at least one of the rotor (24) or the at least one blade (26, 26.1) by transforming the fuel (12) to a vapor or gaseous state. The fuel (12) is discharged in a vapor or gaseous state from the rotatable portion (118) directly into a combustion chamber (16) of the gas turbine engine (10).

Abstract: Liquid fuel from a rotary fluid trap is atomized by a sharp edge on an inside surface of an aft cavity of a bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine and directed into each of a plurality of associated hollow blades through corresponding blade inlet ducts that are in fluid communication with corresponding aft hollow interior portions of each blade. A radially-extending central rib within each blade partitions the hollow interior thereof into aft and forward hollow interior portions that are in fluid communication through an associated opening in the central rib and through a radially-extending gap between the central rib and the interior surface of the blade. A blade outlet duct provides for fluid communication between the forward hollow interior portion and a forward cavity of the bladed rotor, and a rotor outlet duct provides for discharging the fuel from a radially-inboard portion of the forward cavity.

Abstract: A first trailing edge portion of a scarfed jet engine exhaust nozzle aft of a second trailing edge portion relative to a central axis of an associated exhaust duct causes an automatic nozzle-pressure-ratio responsive transverse deflection of the associated exhaust flow away from the first trailing edge portion. When offset from both the center of gravity (CG) and the central longitudinal axis of an aircraft, at a relatively low nozzle pressure ratio, e.g. during takeoff, the thrust vector from the exhaust flow acts relatively close to the CG, whereas at a relatively high nozzle pressure ratio, e.g. during relatively high-speed cruise, the scarfed exhaust nozzle deflects the exhaust flow so that the resulting thrust vector is relatively parallel to the path of the aircraft. With the final portion of the exhaust duct skewed, the primary axis of the jet engine can be relatively parallel to the path of the aircraft.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle is constructed from a plurality of associated circumferential turbine nozzle segments each of which incorporates at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage bounded at a first azimuthal boundary by a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane, and at a second azimuthal boundary by a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane, with the at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage therebetween, wherein when assembled in the turbine nozzle, a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane of one circumferential turbine nozzle segment is joined to a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane of another adjacent circumferential turbine nozzle segment so as to form therebetween a nozzle vane of the turbine nozzle, wherein the minimum through-flow area of the associated at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage is substantially unaffected by the assembly of the circumferential turbine nozzle segments to form the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A bearing housing of a rotor shaft support assembly of a turbocharger core mounts to and closes a forward end of a cavity that both receives and discharges exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. A turbine rotor operatively coupled to a rotor shaft and a compressor rotor of an associated turbocharger rotor assembly rotates within a turbine rotor shroud portion of an associated turbine nozzle cartridge assembly, wherein the rotor shaft is rotationally supported by at least one bearing within the bearing housing. The turbine nozzle cartridge assembly provides for directing exhaust gases from the cavity through a peripheral inlet leading to a plurality of vanes between forward and aft walls, through the turbine rotor shroud portion, and then through a nozzle exhaust portion incorporating an external sealing surface on an aft portion thereof that cooperates with a sealing element where the exhaust gases are discharged from the cavity.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head is based upon a one-piece structure including a number of exhaust runners, an exhaust collector, and a turbocharger exhaust turbine housing, all formed as one-piece.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle is constructed from a plurality of associated circumferential turbine nozzle segments each of which incorporates at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage bounded at a first azimuthal boundary by a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane, and at a second azimuthal boundary by a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane, with the at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage therebetween, wherein when assembled in the turbine nozzle, a first portion of a first bounding nozzle vane of one circumferential turbine nozzle segment is joined to a second portion of a second bounding nozzle vane of another adjacent circumferential turbine nozzle segment so as to form therebetween a nozzle vane of the turbine nozzle, wherein the minimum through-flow area of the associated at least one pre-formed annular-segment passage is substantially unaffected by the assembly of the circumferential turbine nozzle segments to form the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A bearing housing of a rotor shaft support assembly of a turbocharger core mounts to and closes a forward end of a cavity that both receives and discharges exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. A turbine rotor operatively coupled to a rotor shaft and a compressor rotor of an associated turbocharger rotor assembly rotates within a turbine rotor shroud portion of an associated turbine nozzle cartridge assembly, wherein the rotor shaft is rotationally supported by at least one bearing within the bearing housing. The turbine nozzle cartridge assembly provides for directing exhaust gases from the cavity through a peripheral inlet leading to a plurality of vanes between forward and aft walls, through the turbine rotor shroud portion, and then through a nozzle exhaust portion incorporating an external sealing surface on an aft portion thereof that cooperates with a sealing element where the exhaust gases are discharged from the cavity.