Abstract: An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a separator assembly and a liquid injection system. The separator assembly defines an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air and includes a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path. The separator assembly is configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path. The liquid injection system is coupled to the separator assembly and configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly.

Abstract: An inlet door system includes a duct, an inlet door, and a plurality of openings. The duct is configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit (APU) to an intake opening formed in an outer surface of an aircraft. The duct includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a duct sidewall extending between the inlet port and the outlet port. The inlet door includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer peripheral edge between the inner and outer surfaces. The door is rotationally coupled to the duct, and is configured to selectively rotate between a closed position and a plurality of open positions. The openings extend through the inlet door between the inner surface and outer surface, and each opening is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: Plenums for bifurcated ducts and bifurcated ducts are provided for stabilizing flow therethrough. The plenum comprises an outer cylindrical body intersected by a pair of exhaust duct stubs that are configured to be coupled to a corresponding pair of exhaust ducts and an inner body. The outer cylindrical body includes an axial rear end portion. The inner body is disposed in the axial rear end portion and increases in diameter in the aft direction. The inner body comprises one of a generally axi-symmetrical inner body or a non-axi-symmetrical inner body. The bifurcated duct comprises the plenum and the pair of exhaust ducts. Exhaust systems are also provided.

Abstract: An inlet assembly for a turboprop engine system is provided. The inlet assembly includes an inlet plenum defining first inlet configured to receive air from the atmosphere; an expansion plenum coupled to the inlet plenum and configured to receive the air from the inlet plenum, the inlet plenum and the expansion plenum defining a flow path for the air with a bend of at least 90°; and a second inlet coupled to the expansion plenum and configured to receive the air from the expansion plenum.

Abstract: An inlet door system includes a duct, an inlet door, and a plurality of openings. The duct is configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit (APU) to an intake opening formed in an outer surface of an aircraft. The duct includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a duct sidewall extending between the inlet port and the outlet port. The inlet door includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer peripheral edge between the inner and outer surfaces. The door is rotationally coupled to the duct, and is configured to selectively rotate between a closed position and a plurality of open positions. The openings extend through the inlet door between the inner surface and outer surface, and each opening is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a hub section, a shroud section, a splitter, and a hub suction flow passage. The shroud section surrounds at least a portion of the hub section and is spaced apart therefrom to define a main flow passageway that has an air inlet. The splitter is disposed downstream of the air inlet and extends into the passageway to divide the main flow passageway into a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path. The hub suction flow passage has a hub suction inlet port and a hub suction outlet port. The hub suction inlet port extends through the hub section and is in fluid communication with the air inlet. The hub suction outlet port extends through the splitter and is in fluid communication with the scavenge flow path.

Abstract: An eductor assembly comprises a primary nozzle configured to discharge turbine exhaust gas therefrom. The eductor assembly further comprises a cooler plenum having an inlet and an outlet and a surge plenum at least partially surrounding the cooler plenum and the nozzle, the surge plenum for conducting a surge flow. Cooling air flows through a vent between the cooler plenum and the surge plenum when there is no surge flow.

Abstract: An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a separator assembly and a liquid injection system. The separator assembly defines an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air and includes a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path. The separator assembly is configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path. The liquid injection system is coupled to the separator assembly and configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly.

Abstract: An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a hub section, a shroud section, a splitter section, and an injection opening. The shroud section surrounds at least a portion of the hub section and is spaced apart therefrom to define a passageway having an air inlet. The splitter is disposed downstream of the air inlet and extends into the passageway to divide the passageway into a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path. The injection opening is formed in and extends through the hub section, and is disposed downstream of the air inlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of a turboshaft engine are provided, as are embodiments of a method for manufacturing a turboshaft engine. In one embodiment, the turboshaft engine includes an Inlet Particle Separator (IPS) system having an IPS scavenge flow circuit fluidly coupled to the engine's inlet section. A heat exchanger and a heat exchanger bypass duct are fluidly coupled to the IPS scavenge flow circuit. The heat exchanger bypass duct is configured to direct airflow around the heat exchanger. A particle separation device, such as an IPS blower, is fluidly coupled in series with the heat exchanger in the IPS scavenge flow circuit. The particle separation device is positioned to direct particulate matter entrained within the airflow through the IPS scavenge flow circuit into an inlet of the heat exchanger bypass duct and thereby reduce the amount of particulate matter ingested by the heat exchanger during operation of the turboshaft engine.

Abstract: An inertial inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine is provided. A separator assembly and collector assembly are coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air. The collector inlet has a throat defining a cumulative throat area at each position along the throat length from the first throat end to the second throat end. The collector body defines a cross-sectional area associated with each position along the throat length between the first throat end and the second throat end. The collector outlet is coupled to the collector body such that scavenge air flows into the collector inlet, through the collector body, and out through the collector outlet. At a first position between the first throat end and the second throat end, the respective cross-sectional area of the collector body is greater than or equal to the respective cumulative throat area.

Abstract: An eductor assembly comprises a primary nozzle configured to discharge turbine exhaust gas therefrom. The eductor assembly further comprises a cooler plenum having an inlet and an outlet and a surge plenum at least partially surrounding the cooler plenum and the nozzle, the surge plenum for conducting a surge flow. Cooling air flows through a vent between the cooler plenum and the surge plenum when there is no surge flow.

Abstract: An inlet assembly for a turboprop engine system is provided. The inlet assembly includes an inlet plenum defining first inlet configured to receive air from the atmosphere; an expansion plenum coupled to the inlet plenum and configured to receive the air from the inlet plenum, the inlet plenum and the expansion plenum defining a flow path for the air with a bend of at least 90°; and a second inlet coupled to the expansion plenum and configured to receive the air from the expansion plenum.

Abstract: Assemblies for cooling an aft bearing assembly mounted to a rotor are provided. An assembly includes a static aft bearing structure configured to surround the aft bearing assembly and including a cylindrical section defining a cavity for disposal of the aft bearing assembly, a plurality of hollow struts extending from the static aft bearing structure, each hollow strut including an outer radial end configured to receive a gas from an air source and to provide a pathway for the gas to flow into the cavity, and a center-body cap disposed over an end of the static aft bearing structure, the center-body cap including a rim configured to create a low pressure region at an interface between the static aft bearing structure and the center-body cap, wherein the low pressure region has a pressure that is lower than a pressure within the cavity.

Abstract: Methods integrated tailcone muffler (ITM) is provided for minimizing noise generated while discharging pressurized air from one or more aircraft gas turbine engines. The ITM comprises a tail cone defining a conical backing cavity, the conical backing cavity having a large forward end and a narrow aft end and a porous exhaust liner with a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to an oil cooler eductor discharge plenum of a first gas turbine engine of the one or more gas turbine engines and a second end discharging to atmosphere via the narrow aft end of the conical backing cavity.

Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.

Abstract: Assemblies for cooling an aft bearing assembly mounted to a rotor are provided. An assembly includes a static aft bearing structure configured to surround the aft bearing assembly and including a cylindrical section defining a cavity for disposal of the aft bearing assembly, a plurality of hollow struts extending from the static aft bearing structure, each hollow strut including an outer radial end configured to receive a gas from an air source and to provide a pathway for the gas to flow into the cavity, and a center-body cap disposed over an end of the static aft bearing structure, the center-body cap including a rim configured to create a low pressure region at an interface between the static aft bearing structure and the center-body cap, wherein the low pressure region has a pressure that is lower than a pressure within the cavity.

Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.