Abstract: A propulsor apparatus for a mobile platform, for example an aircraft is provided. The propulsor apparatus includes an aerodynamically shaped propeller duct that houses at least a portion of a turboprop engine, and fully houses a propeller driven by the engine. Inside the propeller duct is a circumferential ring that closely surrounds the propeller such that only a small clearance is provided between the outermost tips of the propeller blades and an inner surface of the circumferential ring. The circumferential ring includes sound deadening material that attenuates noise generated by the tip vortices created at the outermost tips of the propeller blades. The propeller duct and circumferential ring are supported by a plurality of structural rods that couple to structure of the mobile platform, for example to the spars within a wing of an aircraft. The apparatus and method significantly reduces the noise associated with a turboprop engine.

Abstract: Water is generated onboard of a craft such as an aircraft or in a self-contained stationary system by partially or completely integrating a water generating unit into a power plant of the craft or system. The water generating unit includes one or more high temperature fuel cells which partially or completely replace the combustion chamber or chambers of the power plant. A reformer process is integrated into the high temperature fuel cell which is arranged between, on the one hand, a fan (30) and power plant compressor stages (31, 32) and, on the other hand, power plant turbine stages (33, 34). These power plant stages may be provided in such redundant numbers that safety and redundancy requirements are satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical and insulating connection between, on the one hand, a filament-wound casing, constituting a wall for the combustion chamber of a solid propellant rocket motor, and on the other hand, a hot nozzle made from a heat-conducting refractory material wherein said connection consists of a single connecting ring fixed to the nozzle and resiliently connected to the wound casing, which ring is made from a low density insulating material, resistant to mechanical forces, as well as to mechanical shocks and thermal stresses, preferably a composite material with multidirectional reinforcements and a ceramic matrix.

Abstract: A rotating machine mounted on a rotating shaft has a rotor turned by the ating shaft and a stator mounted for free rotation with respect to said shaft. The stator comprises a fly-wheel, ballasted at a point of its periphery and equipped with movable masses to compensate for imbalance in the case of accidental joining in rotation of the rotor and the stator. The disclosure shows an alternator mounted in the forward nose of an aircraft reactor, to supply power to devices located in the rotating parts.

Abstract: An all metal, low conductivity, high performance and relatively lightweight, composite structure, in the form of an insulation blanket is operably disposed to be exposed to a high temperature zone, e.g., a high temperature fluid, or on a supporting surface exposed to high temperature. The composite includes two metal skin members spaced from each other by a metallic member functioning as a spacing member. The spacing member is preferably deformed to contact the spaced skin sheets at spaced positions, the space between the skin sheets forming a fluid space which defines a zone of substantially reduced heat transfer by convection. When deformed, the spacing member, or an array of spacers, also provides an elongated path for conduction of heat, and defines a plurality of cavities of limited volume forming stagnant gas pockets. The skin sheets may be perforated to vent the cavities and to provide expansion space for absorbing thermal growth by the metal components of the composite.