Abstract:
A propulsion system 100 for an aircraft 10 includes an electric propulsion engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft 10 at an aft end of the aircraft 10. The electric propulsion engine includes a power gearbox 336 mechanically coupled to an electric motor 334. The electric propulsion engine further includes a fan 304 rotatable about a central axis 302 of the electric propulsion engine by the electric motor 334 through the power gearbox 336. Moreover, the electric propulsion engine includes an attachment assembly for mounting at least one of the electric motor 334 or the power gearbox 336. The attachment assembly includes a torsional damper for accommodating a torsional vibration of the electric motor 334 or the power gearbox 336.
Abstract:
A power and propulsion system (400, 500, 600, 700) includes an air compressor (712, 718), a combustor (724) positioned to receive compressed air from the air compressor (712, 718) as a core stream (726), and a closed-loop system (404, 504, 722) having carbon dioxide as a working fluid that receives heat from the combustor (724) and rejects heat to a cooling stream. The closed-loop system (404, 504, 722) configured to provide power to a fan (718, 732) that provides the cooling stream, and to one or more distributed propulsors (406, 506, 606, 608) that provide thrust to an aircraft.
Abstract:
Propulsion engine (10) comprising at least a first propulsion unit (11) including a first fan (13) encased by a geared ring and a gas turbine engine (15) driving a first shaft (17) connected to the first fan, at least a second propulsion unit (21) including a second fan (23) encased by a geared ring connected to a second shaft (27) operatively coupled to an electric machine (25) and at least an electric storage device (41) connected to it. Said geared rings are configured to transmit torque between the fans so that they can rotate in conjunction (directly or through an intermediate gear) when they are driven by at least one of said first and second shafts. The propulsion engine is arranged for controlling the torque to be supplied to the assembly of the first and second fans by the gas turbine engine and/or by the electric machine acting as a motor or as a generator.
Abstract:
A propulsive fan system (10) comprises a fan unit (11) comprising a first stage array (12) of rotatable blades (14) upstream of a second stage array (16) of rotatable blades (14). The first stage (12) is coupled to a first drive means (24). The second stage (16) is coupled to a second drive means (26). The first drive means (24) is independently operable of the second drive means (26) during operation of the fan system (10).
Abstract:
A turbomachine (10) comprises a turbine shaft (42), first (36) and second (40) rotors, first (12) and second (14) propulsion stages, and a magnetic stator (38). The first rotor (36) is rotationally coupled to the turbine shaft (42), and coaxially arranged along an axis (C L ). The first propulsion stage (12) is rotationally coupled to the first rotor (36), opposite the turbine shaft (42). The second rotor (40) is coaxially arranged about the first rotor (36), and the second propulsion stage (14) is rotationally coupled to second rotor (40), opposite the turbine shaft (42) and adjacent the first propulsion stage (12). The magnetic stator (38) is coaxially arranged between the first rotor (36) and the second rotor (40), forming a magnetic coupling between the first (36) and second (40) rotors to drive the second propulsion stage (14) in contra-rotation with respect to the first propulsion stage (12).
Abstract:
This invention relates to a propulsive unit (10) for an aircraft, comprising: a nacelle (12) which defines a duct (20) for channelling an airflow when in use and which provides an outwardly facing surface (14) of the propulsive unit (10), the outwardly facing surface (14) having an aerodynamic shape; a fan unit (16) for accelerating the airflow within the duct (20) when in use; wherein the duct (20) has an inlet (26) and an outlet (28) and the nacelle (12) is operable to adjust the either or both of the area of the inlet (26) and outlet (28) whilst substantially retaining the aerodynamic shape of the outwardly facing surface.
Abstract:
A propulsive fan system (10) comprises a fan unit (11) comprising a first stage array (12) of rotatable blades (14) upstream of a second stage array (16) of rotatable blades (14). The first stage (12) is coupled to a first drive means (24). The second stage (16) is coupled to a second drive means (26). The first drive means (24) is independently operable of the second drive means (26) during operation of the fan system (10).
Abstract:
The system is used for taxiing an aircraft and comprises at least one multi-spool gas turbine engine (10), the engine (10) having an electrical motor (30) in a torque-driving engagement with a low pressure spool (22) of the engine (10). The low pressure spool (22) has a propulsor (12) connected thereon to generate thrust when rotated. A controller (34) is connected to the electrical motor (30) and an electrical power source (32) to control an amount of electrical power provided from the power source (32) to the electrical motor (30) so as to drive the propulsor (12) and cause at least a major portion of the thrust to be generated by the propulsor (12) for moving the aircraft during taxiing.
Abstract:
An engine system is disclosed which comprises a first volumetric device, at least one second volumetric device, and a transmission in engagement with two adjacent volumetric devices. The transmission has a ratio designed to cause the at least one second volumetric device to rotate at a higher angular velocity than the first volumetric device, inducing expansion of a compressible fluid during continuous flow from the first volumetric device to the at least one second volumetric device while performing work.