A centrifugal compressor assembly and method of operation provides a motor that drives a first stage compressor. The motor comprises a rotor. The motor uses radial aerostatic bearings to stabilize rotation and axial displacement of the rotor. The motor also uses a thrust aerostatic bearing to balance an axial force of the rotor. The radial aerostatic bearings and the thrust aerostatic bearing use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid as a lubricating medium. The radial aerostatic bearings supports the rotor. The thrust aerostatic bearing uses porous aerostatic bearings that use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid, so as to reduce radial and axial oscillation of the rotor. This enables clearance between a blade tip of an impeller and a volute. This causes a seal clearance to be reduced by a half; thereby increasing efficiency of the centrifugal compressor by at least 10 percent.

A centrifugal compressor assembly and method of operation provides a motor that drives a first stage compressor. The motor comprises a rotor. The motor uses radial aerostatic bearings to stabilize rotation and axial displacement of the rotor. The motor also uses a thrust aerostatic bearing to balance an axial force of the rotor. The radial aerostatic bearings and the thrust aerostatic bearing use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid as a lubricating medium. The radial aerostatic bearings supports the rotor. The thrust aerostatic bearing uses porous aerostatic bearings that use a low-viscous vapor-liquid two-phase fluid, so as to reduce radial and axial oscillation of the rotor. This enables clearance between a blade tip of an impeller and a volute. This causes a seal clearance to be reduced by a half; thereby increasing efficiency of the centrifugal compressor by at least 10 percent.

A turbocharger assembly can include a center housing that includes a compressor side, a turbine side, a bore that extends between the compressor side and the turbine side and a socket at the compressor side; a journal bearing disposed in the bore; and a lubricant deflector disposed at least partially in the socket. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

A turbocharger assembly can include a center housing that includes a compressor side, a turbine side, a bore that extends between the compressor side and the turbine side and a socket at the compressor side; a journal bearing disposed in the bore; and a lubricant deflector disposed at least partially in the socket. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

A propulsion system for an aircraft having an aft end is provided herein. The propulsion system can include an electric propulsion engine defining a central axis. The electric propulsion engine can include an electric motor, a fan rotatable about the central axis of the electric propulsion engine by the electric motor, a bearing supporting rotation of the fan, and a thermal management system. The thermal management system can include a lubrication oil circulation assembly for providing the bearing with lubrication oil. The lubrication oil circulation assembly can be driven independently of a shaft of the electric propulsion engine.

A propulsion system for an aircraft having an aft end is provided herein. The propulsion system can include an electric propulsion engine defining a central axis. The electric propulsion engine can include an electric motor, a fan rotatable about the central axis of the electric propulsion engine by the electric motor, a bearing supporting rotation of the fan, and a thermal management system. The thermal management system can include a lubrication oil circulation assembly for providing the bearing with lubrication oil. The lubrication oil circulation assembly can be driven independently of a shaft of the electric propulsion engine.

A control circuit for changing the angle of propeller blades includes a propeller control unit controlling a supply of oil to modify an angle of propeller blades, and a fixed-displacement pump providing the supply of oil from an engine oil return system to the propeller control unit. An oil cooling line extends between an outlet of the pump and the engine oil return system. The oil cooling line defines an oil leakage path leading to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil. A flow regulator between the pump and the propeller control unit is operable between an open position where oil is directed through the oil cooling line to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil, and a closed position blocking the oil cooling line and directing oil toward the propeller control unit to modify the angle of the propeller blades.

A control circuit for changing the angle of propeller blades includes a propeller control unit controlling a supply of oil to modify an angle of propeller blades, and a fixed-displacement pump providing the supply of oil from an engine oil return system to the propeller control unit. An oil cooling line extends between an outlet of the pump and the engine oil return system. The oil cooling line defines an oil leakage path leading to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil. A flow regulator between the pump and the propeller control unit is operable between an open position where oil is directed through the oil cooling line to the engine oil return system for cooling the oil, and a closed position blocking the oil cooling line and directing oil toward the propeller control unit to modify the angle of the propeller blades.

This blower apparatus includes an air blowing portion including a plurality of flat plates arranged with an axial gap defined between adjacent ones of the flat plates; a motor portion arranged to rotate the air blowing portion; and a housing arranged to house the air blowing portion and the motor portion. The housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet. At least one of the flat plates is defined by a non-perfect circular flat plate having an outer edge configuration in which specific configurations repeatedly appear one after another in a circumferential direction in a plan view. Once the air blowing portion starts rotating, an air flow traveling radially outward is generated between the flat plates by viscous drag of surfaces of the flat plates and a centrifugal force.

This blower apparatus includes an air blowing portion including a plurality of flat plates arranged with an axial gap defined between adjacent ones of the flat plates; a motor portion arranged to rotate the air blowing portion; and a housing arranged to house the air blowing portion and the motor portion. The housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet. At least one of the flat plates is defined by a non-perfect circular flat plate having an outer edge configuration in which specific configurations repeatedly appear one after another in a circumferential direction in a plan view. Once the air blowing portion starts rotating, an air flow traveling radially outward is generated between the flat plates by viscous drag of surfaces of the flat plates and a centrifugal force.