Abstract: An energy recovery module includes a manifold, a permanent magnet generator arranged within the manifold, and a thermal electric generator. The thermal electric generator is arranged within the manifold and is electrically connected to the permanent magnet generator to provide electrical power to a load using energy recovered from an expanded decomposition or combustion products traversing the manifold. Generator arrangements, unmanned aerial vehicles, and methods of generating electric power are also described.

Abstract: A thin-skin support member is provided. The thin-skin support member may include a semi-circular edge and a flat edge that define a hollow cavity. A cylindrical cavity may be adjacent the hollow cavity and at least partially defined by the semi-circular edge. The cylindrical cavity may be configured to retain a strut assembly. A mounting interface may be coupled to the semi-circular edge and the flat edge. A torsion interface may be disposed adjacent the cylindrical cavity and configured to receive a torsion link. The thin-skin support member may be made using additive manufacturing and thus may have a grain structure grown in the direction of material being added.

Abstract: A power module includes a turbo-generator with a propellant selector valve, a stored energy module connected to the propellant selector valve, and bleed air conduit. The bleed air conduit is connected to the propellant selector valve, wherein the propellant selector valve has a first position, wherein the stored energy tank is in fluid communication with the turbo-generator, and a second position, wherein the bleed air conduit is in fluid communication with the turbo-generator. Vehicles and methods of generating electrical power are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electric torpedo that includes an igniter having a resistance, a current source, and a contactor. The torpedo includes a controller having input channels operable to receive a battery state of charge and the resistance and output channels configured to operate the contactor to control the current source of the igniter. The controller includes stored memory instructions operable upon execution to operate the contactor to conduct current through the igniter such that a temperature of the igniter increases. The contactor is operated responsive to the battery state of charge being less than a predetermined state of charge threshold and the resistance being less than a predetermined open circuit threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple start torpedo including an aft body having an exhaust conduit defining a turbine end and a seawater end having an orifice. The multiple start torpedo includes an exhaust valve associated with the exhaust conduit including. The exhaust valve includes a fore section having a head and a valve stem. The exhaust valve includes an aft section tapered from the turbine end to the seawater end and defining a receptacle sized to receive the valve stem. The exhaust valve includes a biasing member disposed to bias the head in an extended position spaced apart from the aft section and abut the orifice in the extended position.

Abstract: An energy storage system for a wearable power module includes a harness with a torso segment and a limb segment, a turboalternator supported by the torso segment of the harness, and a chemical energy source. The chemical energy source in fluid communication with the turboalternator and is supported by the limb segment of the harness in a distributed arrangement to allow for support of a mechanical load by the torso segment of the harness. Wearable power modules and exoskeletons are also described.

Abstract: A cabin air compressor (CAC) motor cooling flow enhancement cowl includes a cowl body contoured to extend from a CAC motor cooling duct discharge of a ram air outlet header. The cowl body includes a backward facing step to form an air dam in a ram air flow path to divert ram system air away from the CAC motor cooling duct discharge. The CAC motor cooling flow enhancement cowl also includes a coupling interface formed at an upstream end of the cowl body to engage with a transition edge of the CAC motor cooling duct discharge.

Abstract: A distributed fuel module includes a fuel pressure vessel with a gas port and a fuel port, a hydraulic circuit breaker connected to the fuel port, and a gaseous circuit breaker. The gaseous circuit breaker is connected to the gas port, is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit breaker through the fuel pressure vessel, and is cooperatively associated with the gaseous circuit breaker to isolate the fuel pressure vessel from a compressed gas header and a fuel header according to pressure differential within the hydraulic circuit breaker and pressure differential within the gaseous circuit breaker. Power modules and methods of controlling fuel flow in fuel modules are also described.

Abstract: An energy recovery module includes a manifold, a permanent magnet generator arranged within the manifold, and a thermal electric generator. The thermal electric generator is arranged within the manifold and is electrically connected to the permanent magnet generator to provide electrical power to a load using energy recovered from an expanded decomposition or combustion products traversing the manifold. Generator arrangements, unmanned aerial vehicles, and methods of generating electric power are also described.

Abstract: An energy storage system for a wearable power module includes a harness with a torso segment and a limb segment, a turboalternator supported by the torso segment of the harness, and a chemical energy source. The chemical energy source in fluid communication with the turboalternator and is supported by the limb segment of the harness in a distributed arrangement to allow for support of a mechanical load by the torso segment of the harness. Wearable power modules and exoskeletons are also described.

Abstract: A power module includes a turbine, a first pressure vessel operatively connected to the turbine, and a second pressure vessel. The second pressure vessel is in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and is fluidly connected to the first pressure vessel in series to drive a fuel or a propellant charge disposed within the first pressure vessel to a gas generator for generating electrical power using the turbine. Unmanned Aerial vehicles and methods or generating electrical power are also described.

Abstract: A power module includes a turbine arranged along a rotation axis, an interconnect shaft fixed in rotation relative to the turbine, and a compressor with a regenerative compressor wheel. The regenerative compressor wheel is fixed in rotation relative to the interconnect shaft supported for rotation with the turbine about the rotation axis. Generator arrangements, unmanned aerial vehicles, and methods of generating electrical power are also described.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.

Abstract: A water extractor for an environmental control system of an aircraft includes a water extraction vessel arranged in fluid communication with the separation mechanism. The water extraction vessel includes a first portion for receiving a first airstream and a second portion for receiving a second airstream. A stationary diffuser is mounted within the second portion.

Abstract: An engine bleed air system for providing air to an aircraft system includes a port for extracting bleed air from a compressor section of an engine. The system additionally includes a turbo-generator having a turbine and a generator. The generator is driven by rotation of the turbine. A boost compressor is fluidly coupled to the port. Bleed air from the port is selectively provided to one of the turbo-generator and the boost compressor based on a demand of the aircraft system.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes at least one fuel storage tank. A plurality of combustors is connected to the at least one fuel storage tank. Each of the combustors is connected to a turbine via a corresponding nozzle. An output shaft is connected to the turbine and configured to output rotational energy from the turbine.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system includes a micro turbo alternator having combustion chamber, a turbine driven by combustion gases from the combustion chamber and a compressor operably connected to the combustion chamber to provide a compressed airflow thereto. A permanent magnet generator is located along a shaft connecting the compressor and turbine such that electrical power is generated via rotation of the shaft, and a cyclonic dirt separator operably connected to a compressor inlet. The cyclonic dirt separator includes an air inlet, and an air exhaust disposed at opposing ends of a housing. The cyclonic dirt separator is configured to induce circumferential rotation into the airflow entering through the air inlet, and separate the airflow into a clean airflow and a relatively dirty airflow, such that the relatively dirty airflow flows through the air exhaust and the clean airflow is directed to the compressor inlet.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.

Abstract: A thin-skin side-stay beam may include an upper arm with thin skin and a mating flange extending longitudinally from the thin skin. A lower arm may also have a thin skin and a mating flange extending longitudinally from the lower arm. A joint may include a pin and/or a bushing extending through the mating flanges to pivotally couple the upper arm to the lower arm. The upper arm and/or the lower arm may include one or more internal walls defining one or more internal cavities.

Abstract: A rotor body for a high-speed generator includes a rotor body with interior and exterior surfaces, a coolant inlet and outlet, and a rotor cooling path for actively cooling the rotor body. The coolant inlet and outlet extend between the interior and exterior surfaces. An interior segment of the rotor cooling path fluidly couples the coolant inlet and coolant outlet and is bounded by the rotor body interior surface. An exterior segment of the cooling path is bounded by the rotor body exterior surface and fluidly couples the coolant outlet an environment external to the rotor body.