For A Liquid Patents (Class 60/267)
  • Patent number: 11506124
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines are described. The gas turbine engines include a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section, and a nozzle, wherein the compressor section, the combustor section, the turbine section, and the nozzle define a core flow path that expels through the nozzle. A waste heat recovery system is operably connected to the gas turbine engine, the waste heat recovery system having a working fluid. An auxiliary cooling system is configured to provide cooling to a working fluid of the waste heat recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph B. Staubach, Amanda J. L. Boucher
  • Patent number: 11466645
    Abstract: A turbopump includes: a main shaft rotatably supported; a pump section including an impeller attached to one end of the main shaft; and a turbine section including: a disk attached to the other end of the main shaft, rotor blades provided on an outer periphery of the disk, and nozzles provided inclined to an entrance plane of a blade cascade constituted of the rotor blades, the nozzles having axisymmetric cross sections and arranged in at least two rows along a circumferential direction of the main shaft in a plane orthogonal to the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomaru
  • Patent number: 11214381
    Abstract: An aircraft heating assembly including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system distinct from any fuel and lubricating system of the engine and including cooling passages in the internal combustion engine for circulating a liquid coolant from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, a coolant circulation path outside of the internal combustion engine and in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a heating element in heat exchange relationship with a portion of the aircraft to be heated. The coolant circulation path extends through a heat exchanger configured to remove a portion of a waste heat from the liquid coolant. The heating element is in heat exchange relationship with the coolant circulation path to receive another portion of the waste heat therefrom. A method of heating a portion of an aircraft is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Andre Julien, David Menheere, Jean Thomassin, Richard Ullyott, Daniel Van Den Hende
  • Patent number: 11168584
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a heat exchanger and a housing that receives the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger defines a heat transfer region within which thermal exchange occurs between a process fluid and a thermal management fluid. The thermal management system further includes a process fluid conduit to convey the process fluid through the heat transfer region and an actuator assembly configured to position the heat exchanger relative to the housing. The actuator assembly is configured to selectively assume a position between a stowed position and a deployed position. When the actuator assembly is in the deployed position, the heat transfer region extends within a flow of the thermal management fluid such that the process fluid flow flows in heat exchange relation with the thermal management fluid flow. In some such embodiments, the actuator assembly automatically transitions between the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David W. Foutch
  • Patent number: 11066995
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inlet system for a gas turbine engine that extends along a longitudinal axial centerline, the inlet system comprising: an inner dome, a shroud located axially aft and radially outward of the inner dome with respect to the centerline, a splitter nose located radially inward of the shroud with respect to the centerline, a first plurality of struts radially disposed between the shroud and the splitter nose with respect to the centerline, a second plurality of struts radially disposed between the splitter nose and a bearing with respect to the centerline, a plurality of inlet guide vanes radially disposed between the splitter nose and the bearing with respect to the centerline, and the plurality of inlet guide vanes axially aft of the plurality of second struts with respect to the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Sykes, Christopher D. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10987783
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a main body and a switch. The main body is coupled to a handle and includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart slots, and a pawl positioned in each slot. Each pawl is biased outwardly by a spring. The switch is pivotable relative to the main body, and the switch includes a groove extending along an arcuate portion of an inner surface. Pivoting the switch in a first direction moves the switch toward a first position in which the groove is positioned in-line with the first pawl. When the switch is in the first position, the first pawl extends outwardly from the slot and engages the internal tooth surface such that application of a torque in a first direction drives a shank in the first direction and application of a torque in the second direction causes the shank to ratchet relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Collin J. Nelson, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, James A. Cemke, Jr., Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 10677165
    Abstract: A heat exchange system in a turbomachine that comprises a plurality of members and equipment to be cooled and/or lubricated, the heat exchange system includes a fluid circuit for cooling and/or lubricating the equipment, the heat exchange system being configured to bring the fluid circuit in thermal contact with a fluid, wherein the heat exchange system further includes an open work structure which is in thermal contact with at least one hot section of the fluid circuit and through which the fluid passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN POWER UNITS
    Inventor: Amandine Roche
  • Patent number: 10371052
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication with a geared architecture and a heating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 10156362
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel reformer in contact with at least one of a combustion chamber or a wall of the combustion chamber. The fuel reformer includes a reformer chamber wall enclosing a fuel reformer chamber, and a reforming catalyst support sheet in the fuel reformer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9222439
    Abstract: A cryogenic-propellant rocket engine includes: at least a first tank for a first liquid propellant; a second tank for a second liquid propellant; a third tank for an inert fluid; an axisymmetrical nozzle including a combustion chamber, a device for injecting first and second liquid propellants into the combustion chamber, a nozzle throat, and a divergent section; and a heater device including at least one duct for conveying the inert fluid and arranged outside the nozzle in immediate proximity thereof, but without making contact therewith, to recover energy of thermal radiation emitted when the rocket engine is in operation and to heat the inert fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Dobek, Daniel Le Dortz
  • Patent number: 9222438
    Abstract: A cyrogenic-propellant rocket engine includes: at least a first tank for a first liquid propellant; a second tank for a second liquid propellant; a third tank for an inert fluid; an axisymmetrical nozzle including a combustion chamber, a device for injecting first and second liquid propellants into the combustion chamber, a nozzle throat, and a divergent section; and a heater device including at least one duct for conveying the inert fluid and arranged outside the nozzle in immediate proximity thereof, but without making contact therewith, to recover energy of thermal radiation emitted when the rocket engine is in operation and to heat the inert fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Dobek, Daniel Le Dortz
  • Patent number: 9162304
    Abstract: A method for brazing parts having complex profiles, while enabling reproducible implementation conditions to be defined. The method adjusts a heat cycle during brazing by controlling and mapping heat, while taking emissivity coefficient of the material to be brazed into account. Further, a brazing station includes a power generator configured to supply a predetermined voltage to a transformer connected to a circuit forming a shape inductor, the circuit having an overall shape of the parts to be brazed. A pressure mechanism exerts a load on the parts to be brazed. A camera establishes a heat map. A laser-sighted infrared pyrometer measures the brazing temperature by radiation after parameterizing an emissivity coefficient, other parameters being fixed. A controller supplies a set power to the generator on the basis of the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Amanda Martin
  • Patent number: 9038398
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger, a bearing compartment, and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the bearing compartment. The heat exchanger exchanges heat with a bleed airflow to provide a conditioned airflow. The bearing compartment is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A first passageway communicates the conditioned airflow from the heat exchanger to the bearing compartment. A second passageway communicates the conditioned airflow from the bearing compartment to the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Ioannis Alvanos
  • Patent number: 9038397
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a fan. A geared architecture is configured for driving the fan. A turbine section is configured for driving the geared architecture. A thermal management system that includes a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit that manage heat generated in at least a portion of the gas turbine engine. A first heat exchanger is incorporated into each of the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A second heat exchanger is incorporated into the first fluid circuit. A valve controls an amount of a first fluid that is communicated to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A controller is configured to control a positioning of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Papa, Thomas G. Phillips, Kathleen R. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Justin W. Heiss
  • Patent number: 9021784
    Abstract: The thermodynamic louvered jet engine is a jet engine having a central air inlet surrounded by an annular air inlet. Both inlets are adapted to receive relatively cool, low-pressure air and to convey the air to a combustion chamber to mix and combust with injected jet fuel. The annular inlet is provided with a louvered outlet for directing the air to the combustion chamber. A portion of the hot combustion gases produced in the combustion chamber is circulated from the combustion chamber to mix with the inlet air supplied via the annular air inlet. Also, the central air inlet is provided with structure that directs a portion of the air from the central air inlet to mix with the circulated combusted gases. This arrangement permits the engine to develop a high-pressure build-up of exhaust gases, producing superior thrust while the aircraft is setting and while the aircraft is in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas H. Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20150101308
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an engine having two modes of operation—air breathing and rocket—that may be used in aerospace applications such as in an aircraft, flying machine, or aerospace vehicle. The engine's efficiency can be maximized by using a precooler arrangement to cool intake air in air breathing mode using cold fuel used for the rocket mode. By introducing the precooler and certain other engine cycle components, and arranging and operating them as described, problems such as those associated with higher fuel and weight requirements and frost formation can be alleviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Alan Bond, Richard Varvill
  • Patent number: 9003766
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gas cooler 20 for providing high-pressure sealing gas to a bearing chamber. The cooler comprises a turbine 22; a turbine inlet 24 arranged to receive gas to drive the turbine and a turbine outlet 26 arranged to deliver gas output from the turbine; a compressor 28 arranged to be driven by the turbine 22; a compressor inlet 30 arranged to receive gas to be compressed by the compressor and a compressor outlet 32 arranged to deliver gas output from the compressor 28; and a cooler outlet 36 in fluid communication with the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32 so as to deliver high-pressure sealing gas comprising gas merged from the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Paul W. Ferra, Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 8973552
    Abstract: An oil management system includes an engine housing assembly which defines a first rotor volume and a second rotor volume. An oil cooler assembly arranged between the first rotor volume and the second rotor volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Horn
  • Patent number: 8938944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft gas-turbine engine with a core engine surrounded by a bypass duct, with a radially outer engine cowling enclosing the bypass duct and being provided at its rear region with a thrust-reversing device which is moveable relative to the engine cowling, with at least one cooler element extending over at least part of the circumference being arranged in the intermediate area between the engine cowling and the thrust-reversing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Patent number: 8904753
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in communication with a bypass flow through an inlet. A valve is operable to selectively communicate the bypass flow to either the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140245717
    Abstract: A device heating a fluid and usable in a rocket launcher to pressurize a liquefied propellant. The device includes a first burner performing first combustion between a limiting propellant and an excess propellant; a first heat exchanger in which first burnt gas from the first combustion transfers heat to the fluid; at least one second burner into which both the first burnt gas and some limiting propellant are injected to perform second combustion between the limiting propellant and at least a portion of unburnt excess propellant present in the first burnt gas. The second burnt gas from the second combustion flows through a second heat exchanger to transfer heat to the fluid. Burnt gas from each combustion flows in respective burnt gas tubes within a common overall heat exchanger including the heat exchange units, the gas transferring heat to the fluid, the fluid flowing between the burnt gas tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Didier Vuillamy, Jean-Luc Barthoulot, Jean-Michel Sannino
  • Patent number: 8776494
    Abstract: A system and method of cooling a rocket motor component includes injecting a high pressure liquid coolant through an injector nozzle into a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber having a pressure lower than the high pressure liquid coolant. The liquid coolant flashes into a saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture in the cooling chamber. The saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is at equilibrium at the lower pressure of the cooling chamber. Heat from the rocket motor component to be cooled is absorbed by the coolant. A portion of the liquid portion of the saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is converted into gas phase, the converted portion being less than 100% of the coolant. A portion of the coolant is released from the cooling chamber and the coolant in the cooling chamber is dynamically maintained at less than 100% gas phase of the coolant as the thrust and heat generated by the rocket motor varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cal Poly Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Carpenter, William R. Murray, James A. Gerhardt, Patrick J. E. Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8776952
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment in which a working fluid is utilized needing a heat exchange system to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid at selectively variable rates in airstreams. The system comprises a plurality of heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in the plurality of heat exchangers that is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during at least some such uses of the equipment. Also, a second heat exchanger is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to selectively permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during such uses of the equipment. A core actuator is mounted with respect to the second heat exchanger to selectively increase or reduce the passing of those corresponding portions of the airstreams through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Mikhail B. Gorbounov
  • Patent number: 8763404
    Abstract: One embodiment according to the present invention is a unique system for harnessing thermal energy of a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include unique apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods relating to gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present invention shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Eifert
  • Patent number: 8763363
    Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a heat exchanger having a curvilinear body. The method also includes coupling the heat exchanger to at least one of a fan casing and an engine casing of the turbine engine. The curvilinear body facilitates reducing pressure losses in airflow channeled into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Srikanth Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8756910
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique cooling system for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for cooling one or more objects of cooling. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Sean Donovan, William Daniel Feltz, Steven Wesley Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 8739516
    Abstract: The invention concerns a turbojet for aircraft including engine located in nacelle, and thermal exchanger intended to cool a fluid participating in the engine propulsive system, characterized in that said thermal exchanger is located on engine external wall, an interstitial space within which air can circulate being arranged between the engine external wall and a lower wall of said thermal exchanger. The invention also concerns an aircraft provided with at least one such turbojet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Guillaume Bulin, Patrick Oberle
  • Patent number: 8720735
    Abstract: A pressure vessel, including: a body portion; and an inclined nozzle projecting from the body portion along an axis inclined relative to an inner surface of the body portion, wherein: a through hole of a circular section is formed through both the body portion and the inclined nozzle. At an intersecting portion between the inner surface of the body portion and a surface surrounding the through hole, there are formed round portions. The radius of each of the round portions at two positions in a major axis direction is smaller than the radius of each of round portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Terada, Tatsuo Nishihara, Yukihiro Fukada
  • Patent number: 8707709
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing compressor extraction cooling are provided. According to one example embodiment, a method is disclosed for controlling compressor extraction cooling. The method can include providing a cooling medium. The method can include extracting air from a compressor associated with a gas turbine. The method can also include introducing the cooling medium to the compressor extraction air, wherein the compressor extraction air is cooled by the cooling medium prior to or during introduction to the turbine section. Furthermore, method can include selectively controlling at least one of the compressor extraction air or the cooling medium based at least in part on a characteristic associated with the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., James Henahan
  • Publication number: 20140096510
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a slotted multi-nozzle grid with a plate having multiple elongated slotlettes through the plate. Each of at least some of the slotlettes has a convergent input, a divergent output, and a narrower throat portion separating the convergent input and the divergent output. At least some of the slotlettes are arranged in multiple rows. The plate further includes multiple cooling channels through the plate. At least some of the cooling channels are located between the rows of slotlettes. Each cooling channel is configured to transport coolant through the plate in order to cool the plate, such as to cool the plate as hot combustion gases pass through the plate. Each of at least some of the rows may include at least two slotlettes, and two adjacent slotlettes in one row may be separated by a structural ligament (which may have a tear-drop cross-sectional shape).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Daniel Chasman, Stephen D. Haight, James K. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 8661783
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for warming fuel prior to introduction of the fuel to an engine, the heat exchanger including: a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a heat exchange matrix having heat transfer components past which the fuel flows between said inlet and said outlet and which are arranged to be heated; and swirl inducing means arranged between said inlet and said matrix arranged to cause fuel from said inlet to swirl prior to entering said matrix. By causing the fuel to swirl prior to entering the heat exchange matrix, entrained ice in the fuel can be caused to concentrate at an outer region of the heat exchanger thereby allowing fuel to continue to flow through the heat exchanger to the engine even when ice is present in the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Peter F W Foster
  • Patent number: 8627667
    Abstract: A fluid tank structure is disclosed that is integrated within a bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine. The fluid tank structure includes a hollow interior that is closed off when the fluid tank structure is coupled with an inner wall of the bypass duct. The inner wall forms one wall of a fluid tank volume enclosed by the fluid tank structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Roll-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Lozier, Mark E. Bowman, Ronald P. Porter
  • Patent number: 8601791
    Abstract: Setting in place of one or several coolers in the wall of a secondary flow of a bypass turbomachine. The wall extends from an intermediate casing toward a leading edge of a separator nose between a primary flow and the secondary flow. The wall includes a series of support arms attached to an intermediate casing, distributed over the perimeter of the wall and directed upstream. A series of surface air-oil heat exchangers forming wall segments are arranged end-to-end on the support arms, so as to form an annular wall. A shroud having a leading edge is arranged and fixed in the area of the upstream edges of the heat exchangers, so as to complete the wall. The support arms include hydraulic connectors connected to one another on each arm, adapted to cooperate with corresponding connectors in the area of the heat exchangers and in the area of the intermediate casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Denis Bajusz, David Depaepe, Alain Derclaye, RĂ©gis Dupuy
  • Patent number: 8601792
    Abstract: An oil cooler is provided for a wall of an air flow passage of a gas turbine engine. The oil cooler has a heat exchanger with an oil conduit for carrying a flow of heated oil proximal to the wall of the air flow passage. The heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat from the heated oil to the air flowing through the passage. The oil cooler further has a system for altering the flow of air across the heat exchanger such that the heat transfer effectiveness of the heat exchanger can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: John A Mylemans
  • Patent number: 8572948
    Abstract: A rocket propulsion system having a liquid fuel tank and a liquid oxidizer tank, where a liquid inert gas tank supplies liquid inert gas to a liquid inert gas pump driven by a turbine of the engine to pressurize the liquid inert gas, which is passed through a heat exchanger around the nozzle to vaporize the inert gas, that is then used to pressurize the liquid oxidizer tank so that a liquid oxidizer pump is not needed, or to pressurize both the liquid oxidizer tank and the liquid fuel tank so that a liquid oxidizer pump and a liquid fuel pump are not needed in the rocket engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Pinera
  • Patent number: 8567061
    Abstract: A method for producing a combustion chamber includes providing a combustion chamber wall; forming a plurality of milled recesses in the combustion chamber wall, along a longitudinal axis and in an area of the longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and forming a cooling channel having a substantially rectangular cross section and opposite web walls inside the combustion chamber wall along the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a flow a cooling medium along the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of milled recesses form depressions in the web walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: EADS Space Transportation GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20130276426
    Abstract: The fluids and heat transfer theory for regenerative cooling of a rocket combustion chamber with a porous media coolant jacket is presented. This model is useful for calculating temperature distributions in a coolant fluid and combustion chamber or heat source as well as the associated fluid pressure drop through the coolant jacket. This model for fluids and heat transfer theory can be used to design a regeneratively cooled rocket engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Firestar Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Firestar Engineering, LLC
  • Patent number: 8534043
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in fluid operated equipment to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid in airstreams on a stream side of a wall. An actuator is mounted to be substantially located on a side of the wall opposite the stream side thereof having a positionable motion effector. A heat exchanger core having a plurality of passageway structures therein to enable providing the working fluid to, and removal therefrom. The heat exchanger core is mounted on the motion effector so as to be extendable and retractable thereby through the opening for selected distances into that region to be occupied by the airstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Frederick L. Elsaesser
  • Patent number: 8534044
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine powerplant with an engine oil line and an engine fuel line incorporates a heat transfer control module that includes a reversible heat pump with a heat pump compressor for circulating working fluid in forward and reverse directions through a working fluid line of the heat pump. The heat control module also includes a first heat exchanger having a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and a heat pump expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine oil. A second heat exchanger has a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and the expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine fuel. The heat pump can be operated in forward or reverse directions depending on whether heat is to be transferred from the engine oil or the fuel to the heat pump working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Propulsion, Gas Turbine, and Energy Evaluations, LLC
    Inventor: J. Walter Smith
  • Publication number: 20130232950
    Abstract: An exit manifold is disclosed which includes a manifold body that includes a plurality of inlets. The manifold body provides communication between the inlets and a discharge port. At least one of the inlets directs flow in a first direction and at least one of the inlets directs flow in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite and the material flowing in these opposite directions collides in front of the discharge outlet. The collision of these two oppositely-directed flows creates a high pressure stagnation region that may block or impede flow from one or more inlets that may be in alignment with the discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: James A. Clark, Charles W. Whipple
  • Patent number: 8522521
    Abstract: An air turbine starter assembly includes a starter turbine housing having a turbine gas flow path and a fan gas flow path, and a shaft rotatable with respect to the starter turbine housing. A plurality of turbine blades are connected to the shaft. A plurality of fan blades are also connected to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald P. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8522525
    Abstract: A device and method for drawing off and recirculating cooling streams, specifically for drawing off and recirculating a cooling stream of fuel for cooling at least one aircraft engine accessory, is disclosed. The device having a tubular jacket part defining a flow cross-section through which a primary stream, specifically a fuel stream, flows by way of an extraction pipe which is positioned approximately in the center of the flow cross-section, or jacket part, in order to draw off a cooling stream from the primary stream, by way of a hollow strut extending in the radial direction to divert this cooling stream from the device with the aid of the extraction pipe and to supply it to at least one accessory to be cooled, and by way of a return opening to recirculate the cooling stream directed through the accessory for cooling purposes to the primary stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8522560
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inlet conduit assembly surrounding a gas flow path and a combustor arranged downstream of the inlet conduit assembly. The inlet conduit assembly includes a thermoelectric (TE) device configured to convert heat into electrical energy, a gas flow conduit arranged between the gas flow path and the TE device, and a resilient member configured to bias the TE device into contact with the gas flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Jarmon, Jun Shi, Steve Lozyniak, Bradley C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8510945
    Abstract: A method of assembling a heat exchanger in a gas turbine engine assembly is provided. The method includes providing a structural body including a wall having an elongated slot, providing a heat exchanger operably associated with a bracket, and providing a slip joint for coupling the bracket to the structural body. The slip joint includes a standoff, an elongated member, and a biasing member disposed about the elongated member. The standoff is inserted through the wall so that the biasing member imparts a predetermined biasing force between the bracket and the structural body. The slip joint allows relative sliding movement between the bracket and the structural body when a sliding force due to thermal expansion or contraction is greater than the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John Hand, Bernard A. Luschek, Lonnie R. Stewart, Michael J. Gilloon, Walter A. Hundley, Jr., Jerry W. Myers, Dennis A. McQueen, Michael Peoples
  • Patent number: 8495857
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger that provides a first conditioned fluid, a second heat exchanger in series flow communication with the first heat exchanger and that exchanges heat with the first conditioned fluid to provide a second conditioned fluid, and a third heat exchanger in parallel flow communication with the second heat exchanger and that selectively exchanges heat with the first conditioned fluid to provide a third conditioned fluid. The second conditioned fluid and the third conditioned fluid combine to provide a mixed conditioned fluid. A first portion of the mixed conditioned fluid including a first temperature is communicated to a first engine system. A second portion of the mixed conditioned fluid including a second temperature is communicated to a second engine system. The second temperature includes a greater temperature than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Papa, Thomas G. Phillips, Kathleen R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8474241
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine using vaporized liquefied gas as fuel. The gas turbine engine is configured to ingest intake air from an intake port and direct exhaust gases to an exhaust port. The gas turbine engine system also includes a heat exchanger with a heat transfer fluid therein. The heat exchanger is configured to create at least a part of the fuel by heating the liquefied gas. The gas turbine engine system also includes an intake air temperature control circuit. The intake air temperature control circuit includes conduits configured to direct the heat transfer fluid to the intake port and the exhaust port. The gas turbine engine system also includes a control system configured to selectively direct the heat transfer fluid to one of the intake port and the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.
    Inventors: Peter John Baron, David Anthony Pocengal, Rainer Kurz
  • Publication number: 20130160427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling device (2) for cooling combustion gases from a rocket motor (1) in an antitank weapon. The cooling device (2) comprises a coolant reservoir (3, 21) containing a coolant (4). The coolant reservoir (3, 21) is arranged such that the coolant (4) is transferred from the coolant reservoir (3, 21) to the combustion gases in the gas outlets (6) of the rocket motor (1) in response to a pressure increase in the rocket motor (1). The coolant reservoir (3, 21) constitutes an integral part of the rocket motor (1) and is connected to the combustion chamber (7) by at least two gas inlets (8) for pressurization of the coolant (4). The coolant reservoir is furthermore connected to the rocket motor nozzle (9) by at least two coolant outlets (10) for transfer of coolant (4) from the coolant reservoir (3, 21) to the rocket motor nozzle (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Lars Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20130140402
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a propellant tank, an optical absorber operable to transform optical energy into thermal energy, a quantity of solid lithium within the propellant tank, a heat exchanger, and an engine. The heat exchanger is operable to transfer thermal energy from the optical absorber to the quantity of solid lithium to liquefy at least a portion of the solid lithium, and further operable to boil the liquefied portion of the solid lithium. The engine is operable to utilize lithium vapor from the boiled lithium to propel the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8453456
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermoelectric (TE) device, a gas flow conduit proximate to one side of the thermoelectric device, a plurality of flexible tubes proximate to a second side of the thermoelectric device, and a spring to control contact force between the flexible tubes and the thermoelectric device. The spring comprises a coil spring at least partially circumscribing the gas flow conduit. The thermoelectric device converts a temperature differential between the flexible tubes and the gas flow conduit into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Jarmon
  • Patent number: 8443582
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant lube pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear for an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen R. Phillips, Thomas G. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Federico Papa