Having Means To Effect A Variable Bypass Ratio Patents (Class 60/226.3)
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Patent number: 7353647Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine including a compressor and a rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the compressor. The method comprises coupling a bypass system in flow communication with the compressor to channel a portion of flow discharged from the compressor towards the rotor assembly is channeled through the bypass system, and coupling a downstream end of the bypass system within the gas turbine engine such that the flow entering the bypass system flows past the rotor assembly and is discharged downstream from the rotor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz, John C. Brauer, John Leslie Henry, Raymond Felix Patt, Randy Marinus Vondrell, James Patrick Dolan, Erich Alois Krammer, David Cory Kirk
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Patent number: 7246484Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a FLADE counter-rotating fan aircraft gas turbine engine includes at least one row of FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and drivingly connected to one of axially spaced-apart first and second counter-rotatable fans. A core engine located downstream and axially aft of the first and second counter-rotatable fans is circumscribed by a fan bypass duct downstream and axially aft of the first and second counter-rotatable fans. The row of FLADE fan blades radially extend across a FLADE duct circumscribed about the first and second counter-rotatable fans and the fan bypass duct. A second low pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the first counter-rotatable fan and a first low pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the second counter-rotatable fan.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rollin George Giffin, III, James Edward Johnson
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Patent number: 7093793Abstract: An exhaust nozzle includes an exhaust duct with an outlet and a row of radial apertures upstream therefrom. A radial frame surrounds the duct upstream from the apertures. A row of flaps are hinged to the frame to selectively cover and uncover the apertures for controlling exhaust flow discharged therethrough. An arcuate unison bar surrounds the duct adjacent to the frame and includes circumferentially spaced apart cam followers engaging corresponding cams affixed to the flaps. An actuator is joined to the bar for selective rotation thereof between opposite first and second directions to pivot open and closed the flaps atop the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
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Patent number: 7055648Abstract: An assembly useful in reducing aircraft engine noise such as turbofan engine noise (730) comprises: (i) at least one tube “H-Q” having an inlet end (738), an outlet end (740) and a central tube portion therebetween; and (ii) at least one actuator operatively interconnected to at least one tube, wherein the actuator is capable of causing dynamic response by the tube. The assembly of this invention may be used in a method for reducing noise, the method comprising: (a) providing means for generating non-uniform noise energy about an inner surface and within a disclosure having at least an inlet; (b) providing an assembly for reducing noise comprising; (i) at least one having an inlet end, an outlet end and a central tube portion therebetween, and (ii) at least one actuator operatively interconnected to at least one tube, wherein the actuator is capable of causing dynamic response by the tube; and (c) directing at least a portion of the non-uniform noise into the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventors: Stuart Byrne, Jeffrey W. Moe
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Patent number: 7010905Abstract: An exhaust nozzle includes an outer duct surrounding an inner duct. The inner duct includes a main outlet, and a row of apertures spaced upstream therefrom. The outer duct includes a row of intakes at a forward end, an auxiliary outlet at an aft end, and surrounds the inner duct over the apertures to form a bypass channel terminating at the auxiliary outlet. A row of flaps are hinged at upstream ends to selectively cover and uncover the apertures for selectively bypassing a portion of exhaust flow from the inner duct through the outer duct in confluent streams from both main and auxiliary outlets. When the flaps cover the apertures, the intakes ventilate the bypass channel and discharge flow through the auxiliary outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
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Patent number: 6901739Abstract: A multiple bypass turbofan engine includes axially spaced-apart first and second stage fans of the engine fan connected in driving engagement to a low pressure shaft. A fan bypass duct circumscribes the second stage fan. A first bypass inlet to the fan bypass duct is disposed axially between the first and second stage fans and a second bypass inlet is axially disposed between the second stage fan and an annular core engine inlet. A fan shroud divides the second stage fan blades into radially inner and outer fan hub and tip sections, respectively. The tip sections are radially disposed in a fan tip duct. An axially translatable deflector is positioned to close the fan tip duct when it opens the first bypass inlet and open the fan tip duct when it closes the first bypass inlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Charles Kammer Christopherson
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Patent number: 6837038Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable cycle boost propulsor system for use on an aircraft. The variable cycle boost propulsor system includes an engine, a turbine, a fan connected to the turbine, and a valve system for delivering the fluid output from the engine to the turbine for driving the turbine and the fan and thereby generating additional thrust for the aircraft. The engine is also used to provide power to one or more systems onboard the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Donald C. Eiler, Michael J. Larkin
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Publication number: 20040154283Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Nancy M. Rey, Robin Mihekun Miller, Thomas G. Tillman, Robert M. Rukus, John L. Kettle
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Patent number: 6751944Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes coaxial inner and outer conduits. The inner conduit has a main outlet at an aft end thereof, and a row of radial apertures spaced upstream from the outlet. The outer conduit has an auxiliary outlet at an aft end thereof, and surrounds the inner conduit over the apertures to form a bypass channel terminating at the auxiliary outlet. A plurality of flaps are hinged at upstream ends thereof to selectively cover and uncover corresponding ones of the apertures and selectively bypass a portion of exhaust flow from the inner conduit through the outer conduit in confluent streams from both the main and auxiliary outlets.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
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Patent number: 6742324Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine variable bypass valve system to be assembled. The method comprises positioning a unison ring circumferentially within the gas turbine engine such that the unison ring is radially outward from a structural frame, coupling at least one bellcrank to the unison ring, such that the unison ring is radially supported only by said at least one bellcrank, and coupling the at least one bellcrank to a bellcrank support that is coupled to the structural frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Alan Bachelder, Donald James Welty
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Patent number: 6735936Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Nancy M. Rey, Robin Mihekun Miller, Thomas G. Tillman, Robert M. Rukus, John L. Kettle
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Patent number: 6681559Abstract: An improved jet engine thrust reverser that includes a sensor to determined the rotational position of a motor. The system includes an actuator, a motor, motor position sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit converts the rotational position of the motor to thrust reverser system using, for example, a summation algorithm and reset logic. The summation algorithm incrementally calculates absolute position of the thrust reverser from the sensed motor rotational position.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Andrew T. Johnson
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Patent number: 6622475Abstract: A bypass gas turbine engine having an intermediate structural casing positioned between a primary flow path and a bypass flow path, and configured between a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor. The engine further having a bleed device arranged to deflect a portion of a gas flow from the low pressure compressor toward the bypass flow path. The bleed device includes an annular cavity defining a manifold situated upstream the intermediate casing and opening along the outer wall of the primary flow path, a plurality of conduits positioned along the intermediate casing, a plurality of tubes configured around the high pressure compressor and connecting the conduits to the bypass flow path, and at least one flow regulating valve disposed along the interior of each of the plurality of tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: SNECMA MoteursInventors: Michel Gilbert Brault, Pascal Noël Brossier
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Patent number: 6523339Abstract: This jet engine comprises of a complete low bypass turbofan unit 1 including secondary fan unit 2 and engine core, some five to eight feet ahead of which sits a larger diameter main fan unit 3 driven from the turbofan 1 via drive shaft 4. Between the main and secondary fans sits a reversed variable area nozzle 5 connected to the forward end of the secondary fan by a short inlet tube 6, fitted with intercooler 12. At the back of said core sits another variable area nozzle 7 facing rearwards. This arrangement; front nozzle, inlet tube, secondary fan, core, rear nozzle, is enclosed by a variable diameter cylinder 8, providing a variable area bypass duct 9 between cylinder and engine outer casing 10 that extends backwards from the outer diameter of said main fan. A third variable area nozzle 11 is positioned aft of the outer casing facing rearwards.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Adrian Alexander Hubbard
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Patent number: 6415597Abstract: A jet engine for supersonic aircraft which enables supersonic flight and high fuel efficiency to be achieved while suppressing noise at take-off. The engine comprises a front engine consisting of a turbofan engine, and a rear engine or engines consisting of a turbofan or turbojet engine disposed to the rear of said front engine, the rear engine(s) being coupled switchably by a tube to the bypass duct of the front engine, the air inlet(s) of the rear engine(s) being coupled to the bypass duct during supersonic flight, or during acceleration to supersonic speed, whereby the pressure and temperature of the bypass air from the front engine is raised by the rear engine(s), and the air inlet(s) of the rear engine(s) being separated from the bypass duct during take-off, in such a manner that the bypass air is discharged without the temperature or pressure thereof being raised further.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: National Aerospace Laboratory of Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Hisao Futamura, Hideyuki Taguchi
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Publication number: 20020020167Abstract: This jet engine comprises of a complete low bypass turbofan unit 1 including secondary fan unit 2 and engine core, ahead of which sits a larger diameter main fan unit 3 driven from the front of the secondary fan via a long drive shaft 4. A center portion of the main fan would feed the secondary fan via long central duct 5. The outer portion of the main fan would be ducted into a split exhaust plenum chamber 6. This chamber has thrust vectoring exhaust mechanisms 7 immediately attached to each side, and then each side then feeds a thrust splitter 10, and then feeds to variable area outer ducting 8, using double-hinged inner and outer doors 9. Both outer ducts would rejoin the central duct downstream in a second plenum chamber 11 just ahead of the secondary fan. Between this chamber and secondary fan would be an intercooler 12.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventor: Adrian Alexander Hubbard
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Publication number: 20020017096Abstract: This Jet engine comprises of a complete low bypass turbofan unit 1 including secondary fan unit 2 and engine core, some five to eight feet ahead of which sits a larger diameter main fan unit 3 driven from the secondary fan via drive shaft 4. Between the main and secondary fans sits a reversed variable area nozzle 5 connected to the forward end of the secondary fan by a short inlet tube 6 (fitted with intercooler 12). At the back of the core sits another variable area nozzle 7 facing rearwards. This arrangement (front nozzle, inlet tube, secondary fan, core, rear nozzle) is enclosed by a variable diameter cylinder 8, providing a variable area bypass duct 9 between cylinder and engine outer casing 10 that extends backwards from the outer diameter of the main fan. A third variable area nozzle 11 is positioned aft of the outer casing facing rearwards.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Inventor: Adrian Alexander Hubbard
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Patent number: 6318070Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Nancy M. Rey, Robin M. Miller, Thomas G. Tillman, Robert M. Rukus, John L. Kettle, James R. Dunphy, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, David D. Pearson, Kenneth C. Dreitlein, Constantino V. Loffredo, Thomas A. Wynosky
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Patent number: 6282881Abstract: A system for cooling the lubricant of the speed reducer of an aircraft turboshaft-engine during high-speed flight and during low-speed taxying. The cooling system includes a radiator through which the lubricant flows. An air supply duct delivers cooling air over the radiator. An air discharge duct discharges the air into the exhaust nozzle of the engine. The air supply duct is fed by an arcuate air take-off slot disposed in the air intake of the engine. The air discharge duct is provided with a flap for slowing air flow through the cooling system, and with an ejector-mixer, which is fed by compressed air, taken from the engine compressor, for creating a Venturi effect to increase air flow through the cooling system when required.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation “Snecma”Inventors: Bruno Albert Beutin, Pascal Noël Brossier, Michel François Raymond Franchet, Jean-Loïc Hervé Lecordix, Marc Georges Loubet
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Patent number: 6209311Abstract: An impeller is directly driven by an output shaft of a core engine. The airflow produced by the impeller rotates an air turbine and a fan disposed integrally with the air turbine. The impeller and the air turbine form a fluid coupling which serves also as a speed reducing mechanism. The rotational speed of the fan can be reduced to be lower than that of the output shaft while retaining efficiency of the core engine. The outer diameter of the fan can be increased, raising a bypass ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Nikkiso Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takahiko Itoh, Hideo Takeda