Abstract: A method and apparatus combining an aircraft wing and engine ice protection system with an aircraft electronic cooling system.

Abstract: Braking systems for aircraft are disclosed. An example braking system includes a fan cowl having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The braking system includes a hinge assembly coupled between the leading edge and a fan cage of an aircraft engine to enable the fan cowl to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled to the leading edge of the fan cowl, and the actuator is to move the fan cowl via the hinge from the stowed position to the deployed position in a direction away from the aircraft engine and toward a fore end of the aircraft to provide an air brake during a braking event.

Abstract: Braking systems for aircraft are disclosed. An example braking system includes a brake pad movably coupled to a lower section of a fuselage of the aircraft. The brake pad is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An actuator is configured to deploy the brake pad from the fuselage during an emergency braking event. The brake pad to engage a surface of a runway and increase frictional force to reduce a speed of the aircraft during the emergency braking event.

Abstract: Systems to produce cabin supply air for aircraft and related methods are described herein. An example system includes an air conditioning pack including a heat exchanger including a first flow path and a second flow path isolated from the first flow path. The second flow path is to receive cabin exhaust air from a cabin of an aircraft. The cabin exhaust air is to reduce a temperature of the cabin supply air flowing through the first flow path of the heat exchanger. The system also includes a turbine to receive the cabin supply air from the heat exchanger. The turbine is to reduce a temperature and pressure of the cabin supply air. A turbine outlet of the turbine is fluidly coupled to the cabin to provide the cabin supply air to the cabin. The system further includes a fan to direct the cabin exhaust air from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An example method to extract bleed air from an aircraft engine includes extracting, via a plenum positioned in a compressor of the aircraft engine, bleed air from a first bleed port associated with a first stage of a compressor and a second bleed port associated with a second stage of the compressor. The plenum is configured to combine the extracted bleed air from the first and second bleed ports and fluidly couple the extracted bleed air to one or more systems of an aircraft. The method includes regulating a pressure of the extracted bleed air in the plenum by adjusting a flow of bleed air through the first bleed port via a first valve associated with the first bleed port and adjusting a flow of bleed air through the second port via a second valve associated with the second bleed port.

Abstract: An aircraft engine system has a turbofan engine with a lubricating oil system. An oil pump is connected to pump oil from the oil tank through a cooling circuit to the turbofan engine. The cooling circuit has a bleed air boosted engine oil cooler assembly with a liquid/air heat exchanger (LAHEX) connected to an oil inlet conduit and receiving fan air from a high bypass fan of the turbofan engine as the cooling working fluid. The LAHEX is connected to an oil exit conduit. An ejector downstream of the LAHEX receives bleed air from a compressor section of the turbofan engine. The ejector draws the fan air through the LAHEX.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to deploy a fluid flow channel are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first loop coupled to an outside surface of a vehicle via a first fastener, a second loop coupled to the vehicle and disposed a distance from the first loop, and a flexible material having a first end coupled to the first loop and a second end coupled to the second loop, where the flexible material is to form a fluid flow channel between the first loop and the second loop.

Abstract: Bleed air systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a compressor having a compressor inlet, a compressor outlet, and a first drive shaft. The compressor outlet is to be fluidly coupled to a system of an aircraft that receives pressurized air, and the compressor inlet is to receive bleed air from a low-pressure compressor of an engine of the aircraft. The example apparatus includes a gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive shaft to drive the compressor. The gearbox is to be operatively coupled to and powered by a second drive shaft extending from the engine. The example apparatus also includes a clutch disposed between the first drive shaft and the gearbox to selectively disconnect the first drive shaft from the gearbox.

Abstract: An airflow disruptor for a gas turbine engine bleed air exhaust port employs a disruptor plate rotatably mounted upstream from an exhaust port of an exhaust duct. An actuator is coupled to the disruptor plate and adapted to rotate the disruptor plate into an external airflow responsive to temperature of exhaust flow in the exhaust port whereby the external airflow is turbulated upstream of the exhaust port.

Abstract: A pre-cooler system employs a powered pre-cooler fan assembly having a fan adapted to receive bypass engine fan air through an inlet plenum with an outlet guide vane array (OGVA) adapted to control airflow from the inlet plenum and fan, with a rotational power source operationally connected to the fan. A shroud directs airflow from the inlet plenum, fan and OGVA into a pre-cooler disposed downstream of the fan and OGVA.

Abstract: Pressurized air systems for aircraft and related methods are described herein. An example pressurized air system includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet. The compressor inlet receives air from a first air source and the compressor outlet supplies pressurized air to an environmental control system (ECS). The pressurized air system includes a turbine having a turbine inlet to receive air from a second air source, a first overrunning clutch operatively coupled between an output shaft of an accessory gearbox and the compressor, the accessory gearbox operatively coupled to a drive shaft extending from an engine of the aircraft, and a second overrunning clutch operatively coupled between the compressor and the turbine. The first and second overrunning clutches enable the accessory gearbox to drive the compressor during a first mode of operation and enable the turbine to drive the compressor during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An embodiment of a jet engine air inlet providing anti-icing, and optionally, engine noise reduction, includes a rigid frame defining a gridwork of contiguous cells. A cap skin has an outer surface sealingly attached to an inner surface of the frame. An outer skin has an inner surface sealingly attached to an outer surface of the frame and contains a plurality of openings therein. Each of the openings is disposed in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the cells, each of which can comprise a Helmholtz resonator. A serpentine manifold extends adjacent to an inner end of each of the cells and contains a plurality of apertures in a sidewall thereof, each of which is disposed in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the cells.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a shock wave proximate a surface of an aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first camera at a first location on an aircraft to capture a first image of a surface of the aircraft during a first time period, and capture a second image of the surface during a second time period, a second camera at a second location to capture a third image of the surface during the first time period, and capture a fourth image of the surface during the second time period. The example apparatus further includes a position calculator to identify a first position of a shock wave based on the first and third images, and a second position based on the second and fourth images, and calculate a difference between the first and the second positions, and a command generator to generate a command to control at least one of an actuator and a control surface based on the difference.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to deploy a fluid flow channel are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first loop coupled to an outside surface of a vehicle via a first fastener, a second loop coupled to the vehicle and disposed a distance from the first loop, and a flexible material having a first end coupled to the first loop and a second end coupled to the second loop, where the flexible material is to form a fluid flow channel between the first loop and the second loop.

Abstract: Supercharging systems for aircraft engines are described herein. An example supercharging system includes an ejector disposed in a core air intake of a gas turbine engine. The core air intake is to direct air into a compressor of the gas turbine engine. The supercharging system also includes a compressed air tank containing pressurized air. The compressed air tank is fluidly coupled to the ejector. The ejector is to provide the pressurized air into the core air intake to increase output power of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Flow multiplier systems for aircraft are described herein. A flow multiplier system includes a turbo-compressor having a compressor, a turbine, and a drive shaft coupled between the compressor and the turbine. A compressor outlet of the compressor is fluidly coupled to an ejector in a gas turbine engine. The system also includes a supply line fluidly coupling a compressed air tank and a turbine inlet and a valve coupled to the supply line. The system includes a controller configured to, based on an input signal requesting to increase output power of the gas turbine engine, send a command signal to open the valve to enable a flow of pressurized air from the compressed air tank to the turbine inlet. The turbine drives the compressor to create high pressure air at the compressor outlet, which is provided into the gas turbine engine to increase the output power.

Abstract: Hybrid propulsion engines for aircraft are described herein. An example hybrid propulsion engine includes a propulsor and a gas turbine engine having a first drive shaft. The hybrid propulsion engine also includes an electric motor having a second drive shaft, and the propulsor is coupled to the second drive shaft. The hybrid propulsion engine further includes a clutch coupled between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to enable the gas turbine engine to drive the propulsor, via the clutch, during a first mode of operation and to enable the electric motor to drive the propulsor during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: Hybrid propulsion engines for aircraft are described herein. An example hybrid propulsion engine includes a propulsor and a gas turbine engine to drive the propulsor during a first mode of operation. The gas turbine engine has a core air intake. The hybrid propulsion engine also includes an electric motor to drive the propulsor during a second mode of operation and a damper disposed in the core air intake of the gas turbine engine to block airflow through the core air intake during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Bleed air systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet. The compressor inlet to receive airflow from a first air supply source. An air mixing device having a first mixer inlet to receive compressed air from the compressor outlet and a second mixer inlet to receive bleed air from a bleed air system. The bleed air to provide a motive fluid to enable the air mixing device to mix the bleed air and the compressed air to produce mixed air for the anti-icing system.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a shock wave proximate a surface of an aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first camera at a first location on an aircraft to capture a first image of a surface of the aircraft during a first time period, and capture a second image of the surface during a second time period, a second camera at a second location to capture a third image of the surface during the first time period, and capture a fourth image of the surface during the second time period. The example apparatus further includes a position calculator to identify a first position of a shock wave based on the first and third images, and a second position based on the second and fourth images, and calculate a difference between the first and the second positions, and a command generator to generate a command to control at least one of an actuator and a control surface based on the difference.