Abstract: A squeeze film damper bearing assembly includes a bearing and a spring cage that receives and surrounds the bearing. The spring cage has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The outer diameter has an outer surface that defines a first circumferential channel recessed within the outer surface that is axially spaced apart from a second circumferential channel recessed within the outer surface and at least one axial anti-rotation chamber that interconnects the first and second channels. The assembly includes a first piston ring received in the first channel and a second piston ring received in the second channel. The assembly includes at least one anti-rotation member received within the at least one axial anti-rotation chamber that cooperates with the first piston ring and the second piston ring to inhibit a rotation of the first piston ring and the second piston ring relative to the outer surface.

Abstract: A rotor support includes a first ring disposed around a first axis, a second ring disposed around the first axis downstream from the first ring, and a plurality of beams extending between the first and the second rings. Each beam is configured to provide an axial stiffness, when an axial force is exerted on the first ring, and a radial stiffness, when a radial force is exerted on the first ring. Each beam has a height extending parallel to a second axis and a width extending parallel to a third axis. The beams are distributed around the first ring to provide a substantially uniform circumferential axial stiffness around the rotor support, and the height of each beam is greater than the width of each beam. Damping can be provided by the placement of a damper between the rotor support and the support housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for balancing stacked components of rotating machinery, such as in a gas turbine engine. Unlike conventional processes and devices for balancing stacked components, the present invention may use a single non-parallel spacer for obtaining an acceptable and repeatable component group balance. The non-parallel spacer may be used to compensate for rotor bow and the associated imbalance of the rotor group. By indexing a spacer with non-parallel faces, situated terminally at the end of the stack adjacent to the nut, rotor balance can be achieved without disassembly of the rotor group and clocking of its individual components. A spacer may also be disposed at any one or more of the interfaces between various components in the stack.

Abstract: A synchronous signal generator is provided for use in conjunction with an aircraft engine having a spool and an engine output shaft driven by the spool. The synchronous signal generator includes a generator housing, a generator output member rotatably mounted in the generator housing, a once-per-revolution timing mark on the generator output member, and conversion gearing disposed within the housing and configured to couple the engine output shaft to the generator output member. The conversion gearing rotates the generator output member at substantially the same rotational frequency as the spool when the conversion gearing is coupled to the engine output shaft.

Abstract: A rotor support includes a first ring disposed around a first axis, a second ring disposed around the first axis downstream from the first ring, and a plurality of beams extending between the first and the second rings. Each beam is configured to provide an axial stiffness, when an axial force is exerted on the first ring, and a radial stiffness, when a radial force is exerted on the first ring. Each beam has a height extending parallel to a second axis and a width extending parallel to a third axis. The beams are distributed around the first ring to provide a substantially uniform circumferential axial stiffness around the rotor support, and the height of each beam is greater than the width of each beam. Damping can be provided by the placement of a damper between the rotor support and the support housing.