A turbine assembly includes an axial turbine with an axially arranged series of rotor sections and an external sheath providing structural support for the axial turbine, wherein the sheath is made from dense silicon nitride. Each rotor section includes an outer ring and rotor blades and the outer rings of the rotor sections connect to form a rotating outer casing, wherein the rotor sections are made from reaction bonded silicon nitride.

A blade for a turbomachine includes a blade root portion for securing the blade to a rotatable annular outer drum rotor. The blade root portion includes one or more radial retention features for radially retaining each of the blade root portions within the rotatable annular outer drum rotor. Further, at least one of the radial retention feature(s) includes at least one sealing member integrated therewith.

A gas turbine engine including a torque frame is provided. The torque frame includes an inner shroud defined circumferentially around the axial centerline, an outer shroud surrounding the inner shroud and defined circumferentially around the axial centerline, and a structural member extended along the radial direction and coupled to the inner shroud and the outer shroud. The torque frame is configured to rotate around the axial centerline.

A gas turbine engine including a torque frame is provided. The torque frame includes an inner shroud defined circumferentially around the axial centerline, an outer shroud surrounding the inner shroud and defined circumferentially around the axial centerline, and a structural member extended along the radial direction and coupled to the inner shroud and the outer shroud. The torque frame is configured to rotate around the axial centerline.

A turbomachine includes a spool and a turbine section including a turbine rear frame, a turbine, and a support member. The turbine includes a first plurality of turbine rotor blades and a second plurality of turbine rotor blades, the first plurality of turbine rotor blades and second plurality of turbine rotor blades alternatingly spaced along the axial direction and rotatable with one another. The support member extends between the first plurality of turbine rotor blades and the spool and couples the first plurality of turbine rotor blades to the spool. The turbomachine also includes a bearing assembly including a bearing, the bearing rotatably supporting the support member and supported by the turbine rear frame, the bearing spaced apart from the spool along the radial direction.

A turbomachine includes a spool and a turbine section including a turbine rear frame, a turbine, and a support member. The turbine includes a first plurality of turbine rotor blades and a second plurality of turbine rotor blades, the first plurality of turbine rotor blades and second plurality of turbine rotor blades alternatingly spaced along the axial direction and rotatable with one another. The support member extends between the first plurality of turbine rotor blades and the spool and couples the first plurality of turbine rotor blades to the spool. The turbomachine also includes a bearing assembly including a bearing, the bearing rotatably supporting the support member and supported by the turbine rear frame, the bearing spaced apart from the spool along the radial direction.

An exoskeletal gas turbine engine having a rotatable outer shaft and an inner stationary case enclosed in a casing. The engine comprises a compressor section at an inlet end, a combustor section, and a turbine section at an outlet end. Rotating compressor blades and turbine blades are attached to, and extend radially inward from, an inner surface of the outer shaft. Stationary vanes are attached, and extend radially outward from, an outer surface of the inner stationary case. The outer shaft rotates around a front bearing and a rear bearing. An inlet compressor blade arrangement is attached to the outer race of the front bearing. An outlet turbine blade arrangement is attached to the outer race of the rear bearing. The inner race of the front and rear bearings attach to the inner stationary case.

An exoskeletal gas turbine engine having a rotatable outer shaft and an inner stationary case enclosed in a casing. The engine comprises a compressor section at an inlet end, a combustor section, and a turbine section at an outlet end. Rotating compressor blades and turbine blades are attached to, and extend radially inward from, an inner surface of the outer shaft. Stationary vanes are attached, and extend radially outward from, an outer surface of the inner stationary case. The outer shaft rotates around a front bearing and a rear bearing. An inlet compressor blade arrangement is attached to the outer race of the front bearing. An outlet turbine blade arrangement is attached to the outer race of the rear bearing. The inner race of the front and rear bearings attach to the inner stationary case.

A flow control system, such as a thruster, includes an annular rotor within an annular housing. The annular rotor rotates about a central axis relative to the annular housing. The flow control system includes rotor blades with respective bases that are coupled to the annular rotor, and with respective tips directed toward the central axis. The flow control system includes a first actuator that rotates the annular rotor about the central axis relative to the annular housing, thus also rotating the rotor blades about the central axis relative to the annular housing. The flow control system includes a second actuator that rotates the rotor blades relative to the annular rotor. Actuation of the second actuator rotates a rotor blade about a rotor blade axis that extends from a base of the rotor blade toward the central axis.

A flow control system, such as a thruster, includes an annular rotor within an annular housing. The annular rotor rotates about a central axis relative to the annular housing. The flow control system includes rotor blades with respective bases that are coupled to the annular rotor, and with respective tips directed toward the central axis. The flow control system includes a first actuator that rotates the annular rotor about the central axis relative to the annular housing, thus also rotating the rotor blades about the central axis relative to the annular housing. The flow control system includes a second actuator that rotates the rotor blades relative to the annular rotor. Actuation of the second actuator rotates a rotor blade about a rotor blade axis that extends from a base of the rotor blade toward the central axis.