Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet; a secondary flow inlet; an outlet; a motive nozzle; a diffuser; and a control needle shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert forming the motive nozzle in a compartment in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet; a secondary flow inlet; an outlet; a motive nozzle; a diffuser; and a control needle shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert forming the motive nozzle in a compartment in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet (40); a secondary flow inlet (42); an outlet (44); a motive nozzle (204); a diffuser (118); and a control needle (132) shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body (210; 400) bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body (212) forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert (204) forming the motive nozzle in a compartment (240) in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert (270) in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes conveying a first fluid flow therethrough disposed substantially transverse to a direction of a second fluid flow through the heat exchanger and arranged in a plurality of tube rows extending substantially along the direction of the second fluid flow. The heat exchanger further includes a web sheet having a plurality of webs and a plurality of tube recesses disposed between the webs of the plurality of webs. Each tube of the plurality of tubes is secured to a tube recess of the plurality of tube recesses. Forming a heat exchanger includes forming a web sheet having a plurality of webs and a plurality of tube recesses located between the webs. A plurality of tubes are formed and configured to convey a first fluid flow therethrough. The plurality of tubes are inserted into the plurality of tube recesses.

Abstract: A variable nozzle system can comprise a gas inlet ring, an opposing gas outlet ring, an actuation ring, guides, and vanes circumferentially spaced about and disposed between the gas inlet ring and the gas outlet ring. The gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, and the vanes can form nozzles, the nozzles being variable by rotation of the vanes about a pivot axis. The plurality of guides can extend from the gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, or the actuation ring, and the vanes can be connected to the actuation ring, so that each vane can be rotated by rotation of the actuation ring and by sliding against a respective guide from the plurality of guides. The actuation ring can have a gear rack and can be rotated by rotatable engagement of the gear rack with a pinion attached to the end of a rotatable gear shaft.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component includes a hardenable material that can be machined to provide a desired dimension and surface finish.

Abstract: A variable nozzle system can comprise a gas inlet ring, an opposing gas outlet ring, an actuation ring, guides, and vanes circumferentially spaced about and disposed between the gas inlet ring and the gas outlet ring. The gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, and the vanes can form nozzles, the nozzles being variable by rotation of the vanes about a pivot axis. The plurality of guides can extend from the gas inlet ring, the gas outlet ring, or the actuation ring, and the vanes can be connected to the actuation ring, so that each vane can be rotated by rotation of the actuation ring and by sliding against a respective guide from the plurality of guides. The actuation ring can have a gear rack and can be rotated by rotatable engagement of the gear rack with a pinion attached to the end of a rotatable gear shaft.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat, multi-channel heat exchange tubes extending between spaced headers. Each heat exchange tube has a plurality of flow channels extending longitudinally in parallel relationship from its inlet end to its outlet end. A plurality of connectors are positioned between the inlet header and the heat transfer tubes such that the connector inlet ends are in fluid flow communication with the header through a relatively small cross-sectional flow area openings and the connector outlet ends are adapted to receive the inlet end of a heat exchanger tube. The connector defines a fluid flow pathway from the relatively small cross-sectional flow area opening in the inlet end of the connector to an outlet opening in the outlet end of the connector that opens to the flow channels of the heat exchange tube received in the outlet end of the connector.

Abstract: A burner assembly includes a catalyzed burner for combusting an anode exhaust stream from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The catalysts coated onto the burner can be platinum, rhodium, or mixtures thereof. The burner includes open cells which are formed by a lattice, which cells communicate with each other throughout the entire catalyzed burner. Heat produced by combustion of hydrogen in the anode exhaust stream is used to produce steam for use in a steam reformer in the PEM fuel cell assembly. The catalyzed burner has a high surface area wherein about 70–90% of the volume of the burner is preferably open cells, and the burner has a low pressure drop of about two to three inches water from the anode exhaust stream inlet to the anode exhaust stream outlet. The burner assembly operates at essentially ambient pressure and at a temperature of up to about 1,700° F. (927° C.). The burner assembly can combust anode exhaust during normal operation of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenator includes a plurality of fuel plates defining fuel passages through a housing. A permeable membrane supported by a porous substrate is in contact with fuel flowing through the fuel passages. A vacuum in communication with the porous substrate creates a differential pressure between oxygen within the fuel and the porous membrane. The oxygen partial pressure differential causes oxygen dissolved within the fuel to migrate from the fuel through the permeable membrane away from the fuel. Fuel exiting the outlet includes a substantially reduced amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A burner assembly includes a catalyzed burner for combusting an anode exhaust stream from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The catalysts coated onto the burner can be platinum, rhodium, or mixtures thereof. The burner includes open cells which are formed by a lattice, which cells communicate with each other throughout the entire catalyzed burner. Heat produced by combustion of hydrogen in the anode exhaust stream is used to produce steam for use in a steam reformer in the PEM fuel cell assembly. The catalyzed burner has a high surface area wherein about 70-90% of the volume of the burner is preferably open cells, and the burner has a low pressure drop of about two to three inches water from the anode exhaust stream inlet to the anode exhaust stream outlet . The burner assembly operates at essentially ambient pressure and at a temperature of up to about 1,700° F. (646° C.). The burner assembly can combust anode exhaust during normal operation of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: An actuation system for pivoting a flap on a helicopter rotor blade to reduce the interaction of the blade with the preceding blade vortex. The actuation system includes a fluid supply which is connected to first and second fluid supply lines. The fluid supply lines convey flows of pressurized fluid from the fluid supply to an actuator. The actuator includes a housing mounted within the rotor blade and having a channel formed in it. A butterfly shaft is pivotally mounted within the channel and has laterally extending arms which separate the channel into four lobes. A first port connects the first fluid supply line with two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A second port connects the second fluid supply line with the other two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A torque coupling is attached to the butterfly shaft and engaged with the flap such that rotation of the torque coupling produces concomitant rotation of the flap.

Abstract: The two scrolls 22 forming air inlet slot 20 are each formed of a fixed vane 36 and a floating vane 38. The thin and hot floating vane 38 is secured to the massive and cooler fixed vane 36 with a longitudinal slidable joint 42. The floating vane may expand without restraint of the fixed vane, so that buckling is avoided and inlet slot 20 is uniform.