F01D17/08

Compressor operability control for hybrid electric propulsion

A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having a low speed spool and a high speed spool. The low speed spool includes a low pressure compressor and turbine, and the high speed spool includes a high pressure compressor and turbine. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric generator configured to extract power from the low speed spool, an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the high speed spool, and a controller. The controller is operable to determine a target operating condition of the low pressure compressor to achieve a compressor stability margin in the gas turbine engine, determine a current operating condition of the low pressure compressor, and control a power transfer between the electric generator of the low speed spool and the electric motor of the high speed spool to adjust the current operating condition based on the target operating condition.

ACTIVE THRUST MANAGEMENT OF A TURBOPUMP WITHIN A SUPERCRITICAL WORKING FLUID CIRCUIT IN A HEAT ENGINE SYSTEM
20170314419 · 2017-11-02 · ·

Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide a heat engine system, a turbopump system, and methods for lubricating a turbopump while generating energy. The systems and methods provide proper lubrication and cooling to turbomachinery components by controlling pressures applied to a thrust bearing in the turbopump. The applied pressure on the thrust bearing may be controlled by a turbopump back-pressure regulator valve adjusted to maintain proper pressures within bearing pockets disposed on two opposing surfaces of the thrust bearing. Pocket pressure ratios, such as a turbine-side pocket pressure ratio (P1) and a pump-side pocket pressure ratio (P2), may be monitored and adjusted by a process control system. In order to prevent damage to the thrust bearing, the systems and methods may utilize advanced control theory of sliding mode, the multi-variables of the pocket pressure ratios P1 and P2, and regulating the bearing fluid to maintain a supercritical state.

ACTIVE THRUST MANAGEMENT OF A TURBOPUMP WITHIN A SUPERCRITICAL WORKING FLUID CIRCUIT IN A HEAT ENGINE SYSTEM
20170314419 · 2017-11-02 · ·

Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide a heat engine system, a turbopump system, and methods for lubricating a turbopump while generating energy. The systems and methods provide proper lubrication and cooling to turbomachinery components by controlling pressures applied to a thrust bearing in the turbopump. The applied pressure on the thrust bearing may be controlled by a turbopump back-pressure regulator valve adjusted to maintain proper pressures within bearing pockets disposed on two opposing surfaces of the thrust bearing. Pocket pressure ratios, such as a turbine-side pocket pressure ratio (P1) and a pump-side pocket pressure ratio (P2), may be monitored and adjusted by a process control system. In order to prevent damage to the thrust bearing, the systems and methods may utilize advanced control theory of sliding mode, the multi-variables of the pocket pressure ratios P1 and P2, and regulating the bearing fluid to maintain a supercritical state.

MAIN STEAM VALVE AND STEAM TURBINE
20170306793 · 2017-10-26 ·

A main steam valve includes a cylindrical guide centered about an O-axis, a valve body disposed inside the guide so as to be slidable in the O-axis direction, a valve shaft on which the valve body moves in the O-axis direction between open and closed positions, and a casing having a flow path and a valve seat formed on an inner surface thereof. The flow path guides out a fluid guided into the casing from the inflow direction along the O-axis direction. The valve body abuts against the valve seat when the valve body is in the closed position. A valve chamber, formed in the casing, has a baffle plate provided in a region between an outer circumferential surface of the guide and an inner surface of the casing. The baffle plate interrupts swirling vortex flow with spiral vortex core extending in the circumferential direction of the O-axis of the guide.

Method of monitoring for combustion anomalies in a gas turbomachine and a gas turbomachine including a combustion anomaly detection system

A method of monitoring for combustion anomalies in a gas turbomachine includes sensing an exhaust gas temperature at each of a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in an exhaust system of the gas turbomachine, comparing the exhaust gas temperature at each of the plurality of temperature sensors with a mean exhaust gas temperature, determining whether the exhaust gas temperature at one or more of the plurality of temperature sensors deviates from the mean exhaust temperature by a predetermined threshold value, and identifying an instantaneous combustion anomaly at one or more of the temperature sensors sensing a temperature deviating from the mean exhaust temperature by more than the predetermined threshold value.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VARIABLE VANES
20170292400 · 2017-10-12 ·

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes an engine section comprising a plurality of stages of variable vanes, and also includes first and second synchronizing rings (sync-rings). Movement of the first sync-ring adjusts vane angles of a first one of the stages of variable vanes, and movement of the second sync-ring adjusts vane angles of a second one of the stages of variable vanes. At least one sensor is configured to measure a condition of the gas turbine engine. A controller is configured to move the first sync-ring independently of the second sync-ring based on data from the at least one sensor.

STARTER/GENERATOR

A starter generator located within a sump region of a turbofan engine and coupled to an adapter shaft. The adapter shaft rotationally coupled to the high pressure shaft, forward of a high pressure shaft bearing, and secured by a spanner nut. The engine makes use of two pluralities of electrical conductors, the first extends through an electrical conduit defined by a forward strut extending from the sump region to the outward casing, the second extends axially away from the electric starter. Each of the first plurality of electrical conductors makes reversible contact with a respective one of the second plurality of electrical conductors via an elbow/pin connector, producing a tight turn in area of limited space.

STARTER/GENERATOR

A starter generator located within a sump region of a turbofan engine and coupled to an adapter shaft. The adapter shaft rotationally coupled to the high pressure shaft, forward of a high pressure shaft bearing, and secured by a spanner nut. The engine makes use of two pluralities of electrical conductors, the first extends through an electrical conduit defined by a forward strut extending from the sump region to the outward casing, the second extends axially away from the electric starter. Each of the first plurality of electrical conductors makes reversible contact with a respective one of the second plurality of electrical conductors via an elbow/pin connector, producing a tight turn in area of limited space.

Instrumented vane

A vane intended to be mounted in a supply fluid pattern, includes a blade delimited in a lateral direction by an outer surface, the blade housing a data routing channel and having a groove leading to the outer surface and which communicates with the data routing channel, and data collecting means for collecting data on one of the outer surface of the blade and the vicinity thereof, the data collecting means being connected, through the groove, to the data routing channel, or extending there through. The data collecting means include one of an inserted tube and a cable, and the groove is formed in one of the outer surface opposite that whereto the inserted tube and the cable leads, and the blade that includes an orifice passing therethrough the outer surface.

Instrumented vane

A vane intended to be mounted in a supply fluid pattern, includes a blade delimited in a lateral direction by an outer surface, the blade housing a data routing channel and having a groove leading to the outer surface and which communicates with the data routing channel, and data collecting means for collecting data on one of the outer surface of the blade and the vicinity thereof, the data collecting means being connected, through the groove, to the data routing channel, or extending there through. The data collecting means include one of an inserted tube and a cable, and the groove is formed in one of the outer surface opposite that whereto the inserted tube and the cable leads, and the blade that includes an orifice passing therethrough the outer surface.