Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes first and second electrical machines coupled to the gas turbine engine, each of the first and second electrical machines electrically coupled to both a primary electrical bus and a secondary electrical bus. The gas turbine includes a first controller configured to control operation of the gas turbine engine, and a second controller coupled to the first controller, the second controller configured to respond to control inputs from the first controller and control an electrical output of the first and second electrical machines to the primary and secondary electrical busses. A converter controller is coupled to an energy storage system, the second controller, the primary electrical bus, and the secondary electrical bus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage thermal management system includes an energy storage compartment including a liquid coolant bath portion and a vapor portion. A plurality of energy storage cells are positioned within the energy storage compartment and submerged within the liquid coolant bath. A compressor is in communication with the vapor portion to remove vapor. A condenser is in communication with the compressor and returns liquid coolant to the energy storage compartment.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine starting system including an electric start generator (ESG) free of temperature sensors and configured to provide torque to a gas turbine engine. A fuel metering module is configured to provide a quantity of fuel to the gas turbine engine, and an electronic control system (ECS). The ESG includes a plurality of subcomponents. The ECS is configured to predict a future temperature of the ESG, predict that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful, and provide the prediction that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful to an operator. The prediction of the future temperature of the ESG is based on a plurality of historical ESG thermal trending information and an input ambient temperature. The prediction that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful is based on the future temperature of the ESG.

Abstract: An electric machine is disclosed integrated to rotate with a shaft of a gas turbine engine. In one form the electric machine is integrated with a fan of the gas turbine engine. A rotor of the electric machine can be disposed at the end of the fan blades and the stator integrated into a flow path forming surface of the gas turbine engine. In one form the windings of the electric machine can change configuration permitting some windings to be placed in parallel with one or more other windings, and then connected together in series with remaining windings, if any. The voltage of the electric machine can change as a result of a change in configuration of the windings. A moveable member can also be used to alter a magnetic field produced from the electric machine when operated such that a voltage can be changed as a result of altering the magnetic field.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and electrical systems.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an electrical system that includes a controller coupled to a first inverter/converter controller, a second inverter/converter controller, and a converter/controller that is coupled to an energy storage device. The system is configured to provide electrical power to a first electrical bus and a second electrical bus, from first and second electrical machines, under the direction of the controller. The converter controller is configured to control the amount of electrical power supplied to the first electrical bus and the second electrical bus from the energy storage system. The amount of electrical power received from the first electrical bus and the second electrical bus, and energy supplied to the energy storage system are under the direction of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus including an internal combustion engine receiving air from an air particle separator is disclosed. The air particle separator has an air intake capable of receiving air and a particulate matter conveyed by the air, the particle separator being capable of filtering the particulate matter from the air to produce a clean flow and a dirty flow. The clean flow is provided to the inlet of the internal combustion engine. A bladed component is in fluid communication with the dirty flow and includes a plurality of members operable to assist the dirty flow in being conveyed from the particle separator. The bladed component rotates about an axis and has an annular construction disposed radially outward of the plurality of members configured to receive a circumferential force to cause the bladed component to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus including an internal combustion engine receiving air from an air particle separator is disclosed. The air particle separator has an air intake capable of receiving air and a particulate matter conveyed by the air, the particle separator being capable of filtering the particulate matter from the air to produce a clean flow and a dirty flow. The clean flow is provided to the inlet of the internal combustion engine. A bladed component is in fluid communication with the dirty flow and includes a plurality of members operable to assist the dirty flow in being conveyed from the particle separator. The bladed component rotates about an axis and has an annular construction disposed radially outward of the plurality of members configured to receive a circumferential force to cause the bladed component to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine starting system including an electric start generator (ESG) free of temperature sensors and configured to provide torque to a gas turbine engine. A fuel metering module is configured to provide a quantity of fuel to the gas turbine engine, and an electronic control system (ECS). The ESG includes a plurality of subcomponents. The ECS is configured to predict a future temperature of the ESG, predict that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful, and provide the prediction that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful to an operator. The prediction of the future temperature of the ESG is based on a plurality of historical ESG thermal trending information and an input ambient temperature. The prediction that at an ongoing start or an uninitiated start will be unsuccessful is based on the future temperature of the ESG.

Abstract: An energy storage thermal management system includes an energy storage compartment including a liquid coolant bath portion and a vapor portion. A plurality of energy storage cells are positioned within the energy storage compartment and submerged within the liquid coolant bath. A compressor is in communication with the vapor portion to remove vapor. A condenser is in communication with the compressor and returns liquid coolant to the energy storage compartment.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and electrical systems.

Abstract: An electric machine is disclosed integrated to rotate with a shaft of a gas turbine engine. In one form the electric machine is integrated with a fan of the gas turbine engine. A rotor of the electric machine can be disposed at the end of the fan blades and the stator integrated into a flow path forming surface of the gas turbine engine. In one form the windings of the electric machine can change configuration permitting some windings to be placed in parallel with one or more other windings, and then connected together in series with remaining windings, if any. The voltage of the electric machine can change as a result of a change in configuration of the windings. A moveable member can also be used to alter a magnetic field produced from the electric machine when operated such that a voltage can be changed as a result of altering the magnetic field.

Abstract: An electric device is disclosed capable of generating heat during operation. The electric device can be in thermal communication to dissipate the heat through the use of carbon nanotubes and/or a phase change material. In one form the electric device includes a housing that has the carbon nanotubes. The housing, furthermore, can be a composite that in some embodiments does not provide as effective heat transfer as the carbon nanotubes. The electric device can take the form of a power electronic device in some embodiments and a device having a rotor and stator in others. Such embodiments include motors and/or generators.

Abstract: An electrical power generation apparatus is embedded in a contra-rotating propulsion system that includes overlapping first and second shafts operatively connected for counter-rotation about a common axis. The electrical power generation apparatus includes a winding mounted to one of the shafts and a field array mounted to the other of the shafts adjacent to the winding. Relative rotation of the winding and the field array induces electrical current in the winding.

Abstract: An electrical power generation apparatus is embedded in a contra-rotating propulsion system that includes overlapping first and second shafts operatively connected for counter-rotation about a common axis. The electrical power generation apparatus includes a winding mounted to one of the shafts and a field array mounted to the other of the shafts adjacent to the winding. Relative rotation of the winding and the field array induces electrical current in the winding.

Abstract: A counter-rotating open-rotor blade aircraft propulsion system includes a structure supporting a plurality of blades. A rotor is drivingly coupled to the structure supporting the plurality of blades. The rotor includes a rotating coil disposed in the structure supporting the plurality of blades. A rotating magnetic field source includes two Halbach permanent magnet arrays.