Abstract: An example method of decontaminating a fuel reactant stream for a fuel cell flows the fuel reactant stream through a fluidized ammonia dissolving media, while simultaneously flowing water through the fluidized ammonia dissolving media to separate contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into a separated contaminant and water stream. The separated contaminant and water stream from the fluidized bed is accumulated within an accumulator, circulated through a water-control loop, and decontaminated by flowing the stream through an ion exchange bed secured in fluid communication with the water-control loop. A decontaminated water stream from the ion exchange bed is circulated back through the ammonia dissolving media. A temperature of the fuel reactant stream is controlled upstream of the fuel reactant stream entering the separator scrubber to produce a predetermined temperature of the fuel reactant stream passing through the separator scrubber.

Abstract: An example fuel cell arrangement includes a fuel cell stack configured to receive a supply fluid and to provide an exhaust fluid that has more thermal energy than the supply fluid. The arrangement also includes an ejector and a heat exchanger. The ejector is configured to direct at least some of the exhaust fluid into the supply fluid. The heat exchanger is configured to increase thermal energy in the supply fluid using at least some of the exhaust fluid that was not directed into the supply fluid.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable area gas turbine engine includes, running the variable area turbine engine at initial settings, monitoring two sets of operating parameters of the engine at the initial settings, and deducing vane angles of adjustable vanes without directly measuring the vane angles from mapped data of the two sets of operating parameters of a similar engine operated while direct vane angle measurements were being recorded.

Abstract: A fluidized contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving media (61) within a fluidized bed (62) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into a separated contaminant and water stream. A fuel-control heat exchanger (57) upstream from the scrubber (58) removes heat from the fuel stream. A water-control loop (78) directs flow of the separated contaminants and water stream from an accumulator (68) through an ion exchange bed (88) which removes contaminants from the stream. Decontaminated water is directed back into the scrubber (58) to flow through the fluidized bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (88) minimizes costs and maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section via a primary flowpath and a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor via the primary flowpath. Also included is a cascading cooling system having a first inlet connected to a first compressor bleed, a second inlet connected to a second compressor bleed downstream of the first compressor bleed, and a third inlet connected to a third compressor bleed downstream of the second compressor bleed. The cascading cooling system includes at least one heat exchanger configured to incrementally generate cooling air for at least one of an aft compressor stage and a foremost turbine stage relative to fluid flow through the turbine section.

Abstract: A system and method for operating fuel cell power plant 10 includes enclosing fuel bearing components, such as fuel cell stack 28 and reformer 24, into a fuel compartment 12 separate from motorized components in a motor compartment 14, and consuming leaked fuel in the fuel compartment 12 using a fuel bearing component such as cell stack 28 and/or burner 26, thereby reducing fuel emissions from the plant.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a position of a bearing compartment in a gas turbine during disassembly of a low-pressure turbine of the gas turbine engine includes a forward annular shaft defining an engine centerline axis. The system includes a ring radially inward from and engaged with an inner diameter surface of the forward annular shaft. An aft annular shaft is radially inward from the forward annular shaft and aft of the ring. The ring is connected to a forward end of the aft annular shaft for common rotation therewith. The ring retains the aft annular shaft during disassembly. The system includes a stack nut axially held between an aft facing shoulder of the forward annular stub shaft and a forward facing surface of the ring to retain the stack nut during disassembly.

Abstract: A reverse flow gas turbine engine includes a propulsor section which includes a propulsor compressor section and a propulsor turbine section. The propulsor section includes a fan section and a geared architecture. The fan section is driven by the propulsor turbine section. A core section is arranged fluidly between the propulsor compressor section and the propulsor turbine section. The core section includes a reverse flow duct that reverses a core flow through the core section. At least one of the propulsor section and the core section has a two-spool arrangement.

Abstract: A circumferential airfoil array that provides a total airfoil count for the stage and that includes first and second sets of airfoils with different vibrational frequencies. First and second arcuate regions are arranged opposite one another and third and fourth arcuate regions are arranged opposite one another. The first set of airfoils has first primary, first secondary and first tertiary airfoil groups. The second set of airfoils has second primary, second secondary and second tertiary airfoil groups. The first primary airfoil group and second primary airfoil group are respectively arranged in the first and second arcuate regions. The first secondary airfoil group and second secondary airfoil group are arranged in the third arcuate region. The first tertiary airfoil group and the second tertiary airfoil group are arranged in the fourth arcuate region. The first and second arcuate regions provide greater than 50% of the total airfoil count.

Abstract: A method for assembling and disassembling a module of gas turbine engine is provided, along with a gas turbine engine configured for modular assembly/disassembly. The engine includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft connects a compressor section and a first turbine section. The second shaft is connected to the second turbine section. The first and second shafts are rotatable about the engine rotational axis. The second shaft and the second turbine section together faun a module that can be assembled, or disassembled, or both from the engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine section which includes a compressor section and a core turbine section. The core engine is configured to rotate about a core axis. A drive turbine is configured to rotate about a drive turbine axis. A bypass passage connects an intake to the gas turbine engine directly with an exhaust of the drive turbine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a static structure which includes a first fluid passage and a rotatable shaft. A bearing assembly supports the rotatable shaft relative to the static structure. The bearing assembly includes an outer race with a damper passage that extends between the static structure and the outer race. A second fluid passage extends from the damper passage to a seal.

Abstract: A thermal priority fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly for generating an electrical power output. The cell stack assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a waste heat recovery loop. The anode is configured to receive a fuel, the cathode is configured to receive an oxidizer, and the cell stack assembly is configured to generate the electrical power output by electrochemically reacting the anode fuel and the cathode oxidizer in the presence of a catalyst. The waste heat recovery loop includes a coolant inlet conduit and a coolant outlet conduit, and is configured to remove waste heat generated from the electrochemical reaction. A waste heat recovery loop is thermally coupled to the cell stack assembly for managing the waste heat of the cell stack assembly and for supplying thermal power to a thermal load demand. The waste heat recovery loop includes a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant outlet conduit and the thermal load demand.

Abstract: An example fuel cell arrangement includes a fuel cell stack configured to receive a supply fluid and to provide an exhaust fluid that has more thermal energy than the supply fluid. The arrangement also includes an ejector and a heat exchanger. The ejector is configured to direct at least some of the exhaust fluid into the supply fluid. The heat exchanger is configured to increase thermal energy in the supply fluid using at least some of the exhaust fluid that was not directed into the supply fluid.

Abstract: A fluidized contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving media (61) within a fluidized bed (62) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into a separated contaminant and water stream. A fuel-control heat exchanger (57) upstream from the scrubber (58) removes heat from the fuel stream. A water-control loop (78) directs flow of the separated contaminants and water stream from an accumulator (68) through an ion exchange bed (88) which removes contaminants from the stream. Decontaminated water is directed back into the scrubber (58) to flow through the fluidized bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (88) minimizes costs and maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A system and method for operating fuel cell power plant 10 includes enclosing fuel bearing components, such as fuel cell stack 28 and reformer 24, into a fuel compartment 12 separate from motorized components in a motor compartment 14, and consuming leaked fuel in the fuel compartment 12 using a fuel bearing component such as cell stack 28 and/or burner 26, thereby reducing fuel emissions from the plant.

Abstract: Support structure (12) includes a recess (32) which accepts short plate (20) of brush seal (10). The recess will not accept long plate (18) of the seal. Retaining ring groove (28) accepts the retaining ring (26) only if the seal is installed in the proper direction. Reverse installation is precluded without special machining of the brush seal.