Abstract: An abradable fan containment structure within a fan section of a turbofan engine is provided. The fan section of the turbofan engine has fan blades and an abradable fan shroud. The abradable fan shroud includes an inner fan casing circumscribing the fan blades such that the inner annular surface of the fan shroud is disposed adjacent the blade tips of the fan blades within the fan section. The inner annular surface is formed from an abradable material. The abradable material contour is substantially triangular along the axial length from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The abradable material has a contoured surface characterized by a trapezoidal shape after being worn when rubbed by the tips of the fan blades during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A low pressure turbine shroud includes an arcuate backsheet having opposite mounting rails for engaging a surrounding annular case. The backsheet includes a thicker blade containment shield extending between the rails in a unitary construction. And, a honeycomb rub strip is fixedly joined to the backsheet between the rails.

Abstract: A blade containment system for turbomachinery includes an annular casing having an interior surface with an abrasive surface texture that is capable of dulling sharp comers and edges of impacting fan blades so as to reduce the ability of the fan blade to pierce the containment casing. The textured surface can be produced by either a plurality of protuberances attached thereto or a plurality of sharp dimples formed therein. The protuberances can be in the form of sawtooth steps, sharp spikes or pieces of a hard material impregnated in the textured surface. In one preferred embodiment, the textured surface is formed on a plurality of tiles secured to the interior surface of the containment casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a rotatable shaft within a gas turbine engine during a high rotor imbalance condition includes a first bearing and a fixed support frame. One of the support frame or shaft includes a one-piece flange that has a first portion, a second portion and a failure region with a predetermined load capacity, which connects the first and second portion together. The bearing is radially disposed between the rotatable shaft and the fixed support frame, and is supported by the second portion of the flange. The bearing provides a load path between the fixed support frame and the rotatable shaft until a high rotor imbalance condition when the failure region fails in response to the application of loads that exceed the load capacity of the failure region. The failure of the failure region then provides for the separation of the first portion of the flange from the second portion and the elimination of the load path through the bearing.

Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine is provided with a fan which is carried by a shaft. Frangible fuse pins maintain the shaft carrying the fan coaxial with the engine longitudinal axis. In the event of severe fan damage, the fuse pins fracture and the fan shaft orbits about the engine longitudinal axis. A spoked resilient member is provided to exert a radially inward restoration force upon the fan shaft following such an event in order to reduce vibration.

Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine is provided with a fan which is carried by a shaft. Frangible fuse pins maintain the shaft carrying the fan coaxial with the engine longitudinal axis. In the event of severe fan damage, the fuse pins fracture and the fan shaft orbits about the engine longitudinal axis. An annular resilient member is provided to exert a radially inward restoration force upon the fan shaft following such an event in order to reduce vibration.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a multiple layer blade burst control system for use in turbine engines. The system utilizes a first inner containment ring and a second outer containment ring separated by a layer of thin ductile material. The inner containment ring and outer containment ring are each mounted to an engine housing by the use of a plurality of supporting legs. The first inner containment ring and the second outer containment ring each have complementary ribs and grooves on their respective inner and outer surfaces, so that when broken blades or blade fragments strike the inner surface of the inner containment ring, this ring absorbs the transfer of energy and moves towards the second containment ring. The movement of the inner containment ring also deforms the thin ductile material which creates an additional energy transfer. The system may also be utilized without the thin ductile layer, and a set of intermeshing protrusions and recesses.

Abstract: The invention is a penetration resistant turbine engine fan casing (12) for containing separated fragments of a fan blade (16). The casing includes a penetration susceptible support case (14), a penetrable covering (32) circumscribing an impact zone (I) of the support case and an optional, but highly recommended collapsible support covering (34) circumscribing the case but axially offset from the impact zone. A containment covering (36) circumscribes both the penetrable covering (32) and the support covering (34). In a preferred embodiment, the coverings are aromatic polyamide fiber fabrics and the support covering is a collapsible cellular array. In operation, a detached fragment of a fan blade penetrates through the case (14) and the penetrable covering (32), and is plastically deformed by the penetrable covering to reduce the fragment's potential for damaging the containment covering (36).

Abstract: An impact resistance fiber composite shell for supporting an elastic containment belt after impact with a radially propelled broken fan blade of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine is provided with a fan which is carried by a shaft. A frangible fuse ring maintains the shaft carrying the fan coaxial with the engine longitudinal axis. In the event of severe fan damage, the fuse ring (28) fractures and the fan shaft orbits about the engine longitudinal axis. A pair of threaded members (39, 41), one of which is of generally frusto-conical configuration, cooperate as a result of the orbiting motion to restore the coaxial relationship between the fan shaft and the engine longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method is described for enabling operation of an aircraft turbo-engine to be continued in spite of the accidental occurrence of an unbalance in a tor of the engine, such as may be caused by the breakage of a fan blade. The method involves constructing the bearing support of at least one of the bearings of the rotor so that the support has at least two levels of stiffness, arranging for the support to change from a normal stiffness level to a lower stiffness level in response to the occurrence of an unbalance in excess of a pre-determined minimum value, and setting the clearance between the tips of the rotor blades and the inner wall of the surrounding casing so that it is at least equal to the radial displacement of the rotor under the action of a pre-determined maximum unbalance when the rotor is rotating at the flight idling speed of the engine and the bearing support is at the lower stiffness level. A bearing support construction for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide simple and cost-effective, internal rupture protection for the axial turbine of an exhaust-gas turbocharger. At the same time, the functional reliability of the exhaust-gas turbocharger is to be increased. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the rupture-protection ring (8) is designed as an integral, essentially radially extending, part of the gas-inlet-side wall (5) of the gas-outlet casing (2) and is connected to the gas-inlet casing (1) either directly or via an axial extension piece (6) arranged upstream.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine casing includes a plurality of coaxially interconnected ring members each provided with a flange at each of their axial extents to facilitate interconnection of the ring members by bolts; each ring member is provided with an integral array of inwardly directed stator vanes and carries an abradable sealing material to cooperate with the tips of rotor blades of the engine.

Abstract: Casing assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising an annular cross section casing around which a plurality of layers of flexible material are wound. One or more rigid panels are positioned between the wound flexible material and the annular casing. The rigid panel provides enhanced containment of a detached fan blade or part of a fan blade by distributing the load of the detached blade across the wound flexible material.

Abstract: A containment case (130) for a turbine engine circumscribes an array of rotatable blades and comprises a penetration resistant containment ring (152) and an impact isolator (138a, 138b) extending from the containment ring. The containment case has an impact zone (136) which is the region where any blade fragment which separates from a blade is anticipated to strike the containment case. The containment ring is axially coincident with the impact zone, and the impact isolator is axially spaced from the impact zone. In one embodiment, The impact isolator is a circumferentially extending convolution. During operation, the impact isolator protects the integrity of a connection (139, 141) between the containment case (130) and an adjacent case (62, 64) and reduces the severity of forces transmitted to components (108) mounted on the case.

Abstract: Protective shield (9) for a turbo-engine external fairing (3). It comprises a ring made of a ductile material retained by several fastening means relatively easy to break. When a rotor portion (17) accidentally detached strikes it, it dents it breaking some or all of its fasteners. By means of this possibility allowing for wide deformations of the shield (9), the capacity for absorbing energy is significant.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping molten metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a submergible pump housing, a rotatable impeller disposed within the pump housing, an impeller shaft having one end coupled to the impeller and extending through an opening in the pump housing, a motor-driven rotating drive shaft and a coupling member engaging an end of the drive shaft and an opposite end of the impeller shaft and a shear pin extending between the coupling member and one of the drive shaft and impeller shaft thereby coupling the drive shaft and the impeller shaft. Preferably, the coupling member is a female coupling member having two shaft receiving openings receiving the drive shaft end and the second end of the impeller shaft and includes a pair of aligned transverse apertures. A graphite pin is inserted through the coupling member apertures and extends through a transverse bore near the end of the impeller shaft. The graphite pin is held in place by a wire wrapped around an outer periphery of the coupling.

Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine nacelle assembly comprises an aerodynamic nacelle within which is enclosed a ducted fan gas turbine engine. The nacelle includes an annular containment structure which surrounds the engine fan and fan casing to contain any detached fan blade or blade parts.

Abstract: Woven fiber ballistic fabric (22) of multiple layers surrounds an isogrid support structure (20). A cuff portion (38) has shorter warp threads than the major portion (3) and also is impregnated with epoxy resin. A diameter restrains the fabric from aft movement during a blade ejection event.

Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine is provided with a fan casing provided with a portion adapted to provide fan blade containment in the event of fan blade failure. The containment portion comprises three layers: a wall adjacent the fan blades, a plurality off metallic tubes attached to the radially outer surface of the wall and a layer of strong woven fibrous containment material surrounding the metallic tubes.

Abstract: A blade containment system is disclosed which includes an annular casing positioned radially outward of the blades and in surrounding relationship therewith, the annular casing including a plurality of ribs on the outer radial surface thereof, wherein the ribs limit the propagation of cracks and holes formed in the annular casing.

Abstract: A light weight isogrid containment structure has minor concessions to weight in order to achieve efficient manufacture oversize flanges are permitted in skin thickness interface zones so that manufacture may be accomplished with fewer milling tools and tool changes.

Abstract: A fan blade containment assembly includes a flow surface forward of the fan blades that is defined by the inner surface of the case. Various construction details are developed that provide an axially and circumferentially continuous flow surface forward of the fan blades. The continuity and uniformity eliminates structural discontinuities that increase noise levels associated with the engine. In a particular embodiment, the case is formed from an isogrid structure, a plurality of cloth wraps wound under tension around the case, and a plurality of acoustic panels downstream of the fan blades. The flow surface forward of the fan blades is provided by machining the inner surface of the case to the desired shape.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hard faced fan blade containment system for turbofan aircraft engines, and the product resulting from that method. The product combines a hard facing material, a high strength fiber and an elastomeric binder to form a fan blade containment system which is lightweight and effectively retains fan blade fragments. The method consists of lightly bonding layers of high strength fibers together with a small amount of elastomeric binder so that they work in unison as a composite to contain a failed fan blade rather than as individual layers which are subject to sequential failure. In addition, a hard material such as ceramic or heat treated steel is encapsulated in an elastomer and bonded to the impact face of the containment system to blunt sharp edges of failed blade fragments and to spread the impact energy of the blade fragments over a larger area of the high strength fiber backing.

Abstract: An improved blade containment structure including a projectile shield having a braided ballistic fabric is disclosed. The braided fabric includes ballistic strands arranged in a preferred orientation and is effective for increasing the ability of the fabric to contain projectiles and absorb energy therefrom. The braided ballistic fabric provides substantial improvement in performance over conventional woven ballistic fabrics.

Abstract: A bearing support housing for turbomachines like gas turbine engines. The housing is a one piece component having a flexible forward portion and rigid rearward portions, resulting in a housing having a unique combination of properties that allow for normal running of the engine as well as safe operation during unplanned rotor imbalances.

Abstract: A blade containment system is disclosed which includes an annular casing positioned radially outward of the blades and in surrounding relationship therewith, the annular casing including a plurality of composite tapes bonded to the outer or inner radial surfaces thereof, wherein the composite tapes limit the propagation of cracks and holes formed in the annular casing.

Abstract: Isogrid structure (20) forms case (14) surrounding the fan blades. In the zones where blade penetration is anticipated, the ribs (38) of the lattice do not run circumferentially. The skin segments (48) are of different thickness in different zones, but do not differ more than 30% from the thickness of an adjoining segment.

Abstract: An electro optic sensor for sensing unwanted axial motion of the turbine of a gas turbine engine away from its normal position, includes a pair of fiber optic wave guides interconnected through a frangible member disposed axially adjacent the turbine rotor. Upon axial movement of the rotor away from its normal position, the frangible element is broken to open the optical circuit associated with the guides. Associated electronic circuitry generates an output signal indicative of failure of the gas turbine rotor.

Abstract: Isogrid structure (20) forms case (14) surrounding the fan blades (12) of the turbofan. A ballistic fabric (22) surrounds the case. Containment zones (30, 32, 34) at the forward end have isogrid ribs (38) extending other than circumferentially. In the rear support zone ribs (76) extend circumferentially stiffening the case against collapse.

Abstract: A casing assembly for a ducted fan gas turbine engine comprises a casing around which extend two annular, axially spaced apart, frangible rails. Pieces of cloth woven from an aromatic polyamide fibre are positioned on the casing radially outer surface between the rails. Continuous layers of the cloth are wound around the casing radially outwardly of the rails and cloth pieces. The arrangement provided enhanced containment of any fan blades of the engine which may become detached from the gas turbine engine which carries the casing assembly.

Abstract: An improved containment casing for use with turbomachinery, such as turbofan engines. The containment casing is provided with a ballistic barrier composed of ceramic composite tiles which promotes the ability of the containment casing to withstand an impact from a fan blade which is released within the casing. The barrier is sufficiently hard so as to resist the cutting action of the fan blade, as well as to dull the edge of the fan blade so as to minimize subsequent damage to the containment casing and engine. The barrier serves to distribute the impact of the fan blade, so as to reduce the likelihood of piercing or severing the containment casing.

Abstract: A stator assembly 14 having a spline-type connection between an inner case 24 and an outer case 26 is disclosed. Various construction details are developed, which ensure that the spline-type connection permits relative radial growth between the inner case and the outer case while providing for a rigid interconnection between the cases during blade failures which transfer loads from the outer case to the inner case. In one particular embodiment, the inner case has attached thereto a plurality of spline-type spacers 54 each having an inwardly facing surface 82 which is adapted to engage an outwardly facing surface 74 on a portion of the support structure for the outer case to restrain the outer case against radially outward movement.

Abstract: A composite article includes a plurality of laminates each having structural fibers bonded in a matrix, and an adhesive film disposed between and bonding together adjacent ones of the laminates. In an exemplary embodiment, the laminates and the interleaved adhesive films form a facesheet which is joined to a core for forming an impact resistant fan case impact liner for a gas turbine engine. The impact liner may be integrated with a sound suppression liner.

Abstract: A blade containment system and method for use in a gas turbine engine having a plurality of blades mounted on a rotatable disk. The system comprises an annular casing in surrounding relationship with the blades and a plurality of panels, each having an interior noise absorbing structure and an outer containment structure, disposed about an interior surface of the casing so as to position the panels outward and forward of the blades. The panels are supported so as to fix the panels with respect to the casing during normal engine operation and to allow an impacted one of the panels to slide circumferentially when acted upon by a predetermined blade force caused by a released portion of one of the blades impacting the panel. Ramps formed in each end of the containment structure of each panel allow the impacted panel to slidingly engage at least a circumferentially adjacent one of the panels when acted upon by the predetermined blade force.

Abstract: An aerofoil blade containment structure that is adapted to surround the low pressure turbine casing of a gas turbine engine includes an annular support member upon which is mounted a glass fiber knitted sleeve. The knitted sleeve is folded to define a plurality of interconnected secondary sleeves that are arranged in coaxial superposed relationship. Use of the containment structure obviates the use of thick, and therefore undesirably heavy, turbine casings.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is mounted from a pylon. The gas turbine engine has an annular fan casing which is provided with a composite containment ring. A plate is attached to the underside of the pylon, the ends of which extend radially inwards towards the fan casing. The plate acts to direct the containment ring, as it distorts under the impact of a blade, away from the pylon. The plate reduces the amount of interaction between the containment ring and the pylon so minimising any damage to the pylon and the associated aircraft structure.

Abstract: A shroud panel is removably joinable inwardly of a fan casing and outwardly of a fan blade in a turbofan gas turbine engine. The panel includes an arcuate backing plate having a plurality of screws disposed therethrough for mounting the panel to the casing. Each of the screws includes a locking ring joined to the shank thereof and spaced from the screw head for allowing limited translation of the screw through the panel while preventing its liberation therefrom.

Abstract: A blade containment system for fan blades of a gas turbine engine includes a fan casing surrounding the fan blades and serving as a first blade containment structure and a second blade containment structure positioned axially forward of the fan casing within an engine nacelle. The second containment structure preferably includes an inner liner of noise absorbing material, such as honeycomb paneling. Preferably, the second containment structure comprises a ring of titanium material having axially oriented stiffeners for controlling bending upon impact by a broken blade or blade fragment. The stiffeners are desirably integrally formed in the ring and the ring is illustratively produced by super plastic forming. The ring may be formed as a plurality of arcuate segments having edges adapted for joining with adjacent segments to form a complete ring. A flange may be attached to an aft edge of the ring and used to connect the ring to the fan casing.

Abstract: A pressure relief diaphragm is associated with a turbine housing and is operable to relieve excessive pressure within the turbine housing to prevent damage to turbine blades. The pressure relief diaphragm includes a safety housing having a mounting flange thereon arranged to mate with a turbine flange so that the safety housing is positioned over a relief opening in the turbine housing. A first solid, frangible solid disc covers the relief opening in the turbine housing and has a peripheral portion interposed between the mounting flange on the safety housing and the turbine flange. A second solid disc is positioned in the relief opening in the turbine flange in abutting contact with the first solid disc. A first plurality of bolts secures the mounting flange on the safety housing to the turbine flange. Spring washers associated with the first plurality of bolts maintain the positional relationship between the safety housing and the turbine flange.

Abstract: A containment system for wide chord turbofan fan blades, the system having a containment housing which forms a nesting area to accommodate broken blades and blade parts. Connected to the containment housing and constituting a part of the nesting area are structural rings which are positioned so that centrifugal forces will direct the larger blade fragments to impact upon the structural rings causing the large blade fragments to break into smaller fragments which are then easily housed in the nesting area, thus reducing the required area of the nesting area and minimizing the weight of the containment system.

Abstract: Turbine nozzle phasing device for controlling a flow of gasses to a plurality of nozzles in response to a control signal. The turbine nozzle phasing device includes a housing having a lower portion which includes a first plenum for receiving the flow of hot gasses and an upper portion which includes a second plenum integral with the first plenum, a detachable partition for separating the first plenum from the second plenum and a first nozzle which communicates with the first plenum. Hot gasses flowing into the first plenum flows through the first nozzle. A set of second nozzles is provided which communicates with the second plenum. Partition detaching apparatus is also included for detaching the detachable partition in response to the control signal to permit a portion of the hot gasses flowing into the first plenum to flow into the second plenum and through the set of second nozzles.

Abstract: A rotor for an air motor is constructed with a central, milled, aluminum disc having a peripheral flange to which is integrally molded an outer ring of epoxy compound or a composite material, the outer ring defining the series of buckets arranged in an annular ring which are driven by an air nozzle to rotate the rotor. The rotor construction utilizes a combination of old and new materials in a configuration designed to avoid rotor breakup under runaway speed conditions and minimize the damage should such breakup occur.

Abstract: A spiral wound containment ring (b 20l ) is received within a radially inward facing channel (38) in an engine case (18).

Abstract: A fan case liner for a gas turbine engine includes a foreign body impact resistant area and a sound suppression area. The foreign body impact resistant area includes a face sheet of a high impact resistant material which substantially resists denting when struck by a foreign body. A first honeycombed layer of aluminum or an aluminum alloy is disposed over and attached to the face sheet. The first layer has a selected compressive strength to distribute loading forces caused by the impact of a foreign body and to resist plastic deformation. The hexagonally shaped voids in the honeycombed structure of the first layer are filled with a microballoon/resin filler material to further improve resistance to damage or denting. At least one second honeycombed layer of a aluminum or an aluminum alloy is disposed over and attached to the first honeycombed layer.

Abstract: The casing of a turboshaft engine, particularly a turbojet engine with a high speed propeller, comprises axially successive shells which are fixed firmly to each other end to end by bolted coupling flanges, at least one of the shells comprising an additional mechanical axial retaining joint enabling the connection between the shells to withstand any exceptional stresses such as those caused by the loss of a propeller blade of the turbojet engine. Preferably the retaining joint comprises a radially inwardly directed tongue carried by one of the shells and received in a radially outwardly open groove provided in a portion of the other shell or a member securely fixed thereto.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a braking device for stopping the compressor drive turbine if a common shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor rotors breaks, the braking device including a conical ring carried by the turbine rotor at its downstream end and a structural member of a generally conical shape carried by the upstream end of the turbine exhaust casing such that the ring will frictionally interlock with the structural member if the shaft breaks.

Abstract: A hot gas overheat protection device is provided for gas turbine engines and the like. An outer metal wall having cooling air supplied through cooling holes therethrough from the outside is shielded from hot gas flow by the provision of highly temperature resistant lining wall elements spaced from the metal wall. A thin metal skin is provided between the metal wall and the wall elements defining intermediate spaces communicating with cooling air ports in the metal wall. The thin metal skin has a melting point equal to or lower than that of the metal wall so as to provide for fusion or rupture of the thin metal skin in the event the insulating wall elements are locally ruptured, whereby the cooling air is provided through the cooling air ports in a direction against the flow of hot gases to thereby mitigate the effects of the rupture and protect the metal wall.

Abstract: A protection ring of fiber material is constructed for containing or stopping fragments of a bursting structural component passing through a housing, such as a gas turbine housing through which a rotor blade fragment has burst by centrifugal force. Retaining pins are distributed around the housing zone to be protected. The fiber strands are looped around the retaining pins to form a fiber netting without any matrix material. Friction between fibers and pins is kept low so that the fibers can stretch along substantially their entire length for taking up impact energy. Thus, substantially the entire volume of the ring can participate in taking up impact energy and not only a localized ring portion that received an impact. A desirable lightweight structure is achieved.

Abstract: A circumferentially extending structure 30 for containing particles having an axial component of velocity and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The structure includes an inner casing, such as the first casing 48, and an outer casing, such as the second casing 50. The outer casing is flexible. The outer casing is formed of a plurality of layers of fabric and by applying a load to the fabric such as a plurality of bars 80, 82 and turnbuckles 74. A method of forming the structure is disclosed. The method includes the step of wrapping a fabric having a first length about the inner casing and the step of stretching the fabric to a second length to affect the operative response of the fabric to the impact of a particle.