Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary internal combustion engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a rotor having a radial groove defined radially in a peripheral surface of the rotor. The groove has a depth and an intermediate shoulder at an intermediate depth. The groove has a first width therealong that is narrower than an intermediate width at the shoulder. An apex seal is received in the groove and protrudes from the peripheral face of the rotor. The apex seal is configured to move radially between a first position and a second position outward of the first position. A biasing member biases the apex seal toward the second position. A platform is disposed in the groove between the apex seal and the biasing member and has a width greater than the first width.

Abstract: An air supply system is configured to provide cooling air with reduced heat pickup to a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a first cooling passage extending between a hollow airfoil and an internal pipe extending through the airfoil. The airfoil extends through a hot gas path. A second cooling passage extends through the internal pipe. The coolant flowing through the second cooling passage is thermally isolated from the airfoil hot surface by the flow of coolant flowing through the first cooling passage. The first and second cooling passages have a common output flow to a rotor cavity of the turbine rotor where coolant flows from the first and second cooling passages combine according to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary internal combustion engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a rotor having a radial groove defined radially in a peripheral surface of the rotor. The groove has a depth and an intermediate shoulder at an intermediate depth. The groove has a first width therealong that is narrower than an intermediate width at the shoulder. An apex seal is received in the groove and protrudes from the peripheral face of the rotor. The apex seal is configured to move radially between a first position and a second position outward of the first position. A biasing member biases the apex seal toward the second position. A platform is disposed in the groove between the apex seal and the biasing member and has a width greater than the first width.

Abstract: An air supply system is configured to provide cooling air with reduced heat pickup to a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a first cooling passage extending between a hollow airfoil and an internal pipe extending through the airfoil. The airfoil extends through a hot gas path. A second cooling passage extends through the internal pipe. The coolant flowing through the second cooling passage is thermally isolated from the airfoil hot surface by the flow of coolant flowing through the first cooling passage. The first and second cooling passages have a common output flow to a rotor cavity of the turbine rotor where coolant flows from the first and second cooling passages combine according to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: The method for testing the integrity of a seal of a cavity in an engine includes providing a sealed test tank external to the cavity, the test tank having an internal volume that is particularly selected, as described herein. A pressure differential is generated between the test tank and the cavity, by creating an initial test pressure within the test tank that is different than an ambient pressure inside the cavity. Gas flow between the test tank and the cavity is then permitted, and a change in pressure within the test tank is measured, as is a test time required for the pressure inside the test tank to reach a reference pressure. The measured test time is compared with a predetermined reference time, and the integrity of the seal may be confirmed when the test time is greater than or equal to the reference time.

Abstract: An air supply system is configured to provide cooling air with reduced heat pickup to a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a first cooling passage extending between a hollow airfoil and an internal pipe extending through the airfoil. The airfoil extends through a hot gas path. A second cooling passage extends through the internal pipe. The coolant flowing through the second cooling passage is thermally isolated from the airfoil hot surface by the flow of coolant flowing through the first cooling passage. The first and second cooling passages have a common output flow to a rotor cavity of the turbine rotor where coolant flows from the first and second cooling passages combine according to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a secondary air system with interconnected fluid passages defining at least one flow path between a common source of pressurized air and a common outlet. Some of the fluid passages deliver the pressurized air to components of the gas turbine engine. The fluid passages include a common fluid passage through which all circulation of the pressurized air to the common outlet passes. The common fluid passage has a section including a venturi configured for controlling a flow of the pressurized air from the source to the outlet. In one embodiment, the venturi is provided in a common inlet or common outlet passage. A method of pressurizing a secondary air system is also discussed.

Abstract: A seal runner for a gas turbine engine, the seal runner including an annular body having a sealed cavity defined therein, the cavity being elongated along an axial direction of the body and being annular, the cavity at least partially filled with a coolant, the coolant being liquid across a range of operating temperatures of the gas turbine engine, the coolant having a temperature dependent density across the range of operating temperatures of the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine and a method of cooling a seal runner exposed to a temperature gradient are also discussed.

Abstract: The method for testing the integrity of a seal of a cavity in an engine includes providing a sealed test tank external to the cavity, the test tank having an internal volume that is particularly selected, as described herein. A pressure differential is generated between the test tank and the cavity, by creating an initial test pressure within the test tank that is different than an ambient pressure inside the cavity. Gas flow between the test tank and the cavity is then permitted, and a change in pressure within the test tank is measured, as is a test time required for the pressure inside the test tank to reach a reference pressure. The measured test time is compared with a predetermined reference time, and the integrity of the seal may be confirmed when the test time is greater than or equal to the reference time.

Abstract: A bearing system comprises a bearing configured to be mounted to a shaft. A bearing housing interfaces the bearing to a structure. An annular gap is defined between an outer annular surface of the bearing housing and the structure and configured to receive oil therein. An outlet defined in an outer section surface of the bearing housing is oriented toward a component axially spaced from the bearing. A fluid passageway between the at least one outlet and the annular gap for fluid communication therebetween. In use the fluid passageway directs pressurized oil from the annular gap to the outlet to reach the adjacent component. A method for using oil from a bearing to cool or lubricate a component axially spaced from the bearing is also provided.

Abstract: A bearing system comprises a bearing configured to be mounted to a shaft. A bearing housing interfaces the bearing to a structure. An annular gap is defined between an outer annular surface of the bearing housing and the structure and configured to receive oil therein. An outlet defined in an outer section surface of the bearing housing is oriented toward a component axially spaced from the bearing. A fluid passageway between the at least one outlet and the annular gap for fluid communication therebetween. In use the fluid passageway directs pressurized oil from the annular gap to the outlet to reach the adjacent component. A method for using oil from a bearing to cool or lubricate a component axially spaced from the bearing is also provided.

Abstract: An air supply system is configured to provide cooling air with reduced heat pickup to a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a first cooling passage extending between a hollow airfoil and an internal pipe extending through the airfoil. The airfoil extends through a hot gas path. A second cooling passage extends through the internal pipe. The coolant flowing through the second cooling passage is thermally isolated from the airfoil hot surface by the flow of coolant flowing through the first cooling passage. The first and second cooling passages have a common output flow to a rotor cavity of the turbine rotor where coolant flows from the first and second cooling passages combine according to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A bearing system comprises a bearing configured to be mounted to a shaft. A bearing housing interfaces the bearing to a structure. An annular gap is defined between an outer annular surface of the bearing housing and the structure and configured to receive oil therein. An outlet defined in an outer section surface of the bearing housing is oriented toward a component axially spaced from the bearing. A fluid passageway between the at least one outlet and the annular gap for fluid communication therebetween. In use the fluid passageway directs pressurized oil from the annular gap to the outlet to reach the adjacent component. A method for using oil from a bearing to cool or lubricate a component axially spaced from the bearing is also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a secondary air system with interconnected fluid passages defining at least one flow path between a common source of pressurized air and a common outlet. Some of the fluid passages deliver the pressurized air to components of the gas turbine engine. The fluid passages include a common fluid passage through which all circulation of the pressurized air to the common outlet passes. The common fluid passage has a section including a venturi configured for controlling a flow of the pressurized air from the source to the outlet. In one embodiment, the venturi is provided in a common inlet or common outlet passage. A method of pressurizing a secondary air system is also discussed.

Abstract: A seal runner for a gas turbine engine, the seal runner including an annular body having a sealed cavity defined therein, the cavity being elongated along an axial direction of the body and being annular, the cavity at least partially filled with a coolant, the coolant being liquid across a range of operating temperatures of the gas turbine engine, the coolant having a temperature dependent density across the range of operating temperatures of the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine and a method of cooling a seal runner exposed to a temperature gradient are also discussed.

Abstract: An oil purge system for a mid turbine frame (MTF) of a gas turbine engine has an oil transfer tube surrounded by a heat shield tube. The oil transfer and heat shield tubes extend at their respective inner ends downwardly from an oil port of a bearing housing and terminate at their respective outer ends projecting outwardly from an annular wall of an outer case of the MTF. Oil leaked from the oil port is purged by pressurized air through an annular cavity formed between the oil transfer and heat shield tubes, and is discharged out of the MTF.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises parts coaxially mounted on the shaft, the parts including: a lockplate in rotational engagement with the shaft, the lockplate having a first side and a second side, the first side of the lockplate being in engagement with the component; a nut in threaded engagement with the shaft, the nut having a circumferential outer groove, a side of the nut being in pressing engagement with the second side of the lockplate; a damping element mounted in the groove and partially outwardly protruding therefrom; a lockwasher provided around the nut and in rotational engagement with the lockplate, the lockwasher having an interior surface in interfering engagement with the damping element; and a retaining element connected to the nut and to the lockwasher, the retaining element preventing the lockwasher from moving away from the lockplate.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises parts coaxially mounted on the shaft, the parts including: a lockplate in rotational engagement with the shaft, the lockplate having a first side and a second side, the first side of the lockplate being in engagement with the component; a nut in threaded engagement with the shaft, the nut having a circumferential outer groove, a side of the nut being in pressing engagement with the second side of the lockplate; a damping element mounted in the groove and partially outwardly protruding therefrom; a lockwasher provided around the nut and in rotational engagement with the lockplate, the lockwasher having an interior surface in interfering engagement with the damping element; and a retaining element connected to the nut and to the lockwasher, the retaining element preventing the lockwasher from moving away from the lockplate.