A ram air turbine rotor comprises at least one intra-flow path shroud structure coupled between rotor blades, along a radial position between a support disc and an outer rim. The shroud structure includes shroud sectors each coupled between a respective pair of blades. The sectors each include a first edge adjacent to leading edges of the respective pair of blades, the first edge including a first curved segment, and a second edge adjacent to trailing edges of the respective pair of blades, the second edge including a second curved segment. The curved segments are each partially defined by a respective ellipse having a semi-major axis and a semi-minor axis. The semi-major axis is a portion of a spanwise distance between the respective pair of blades. The semi-minor axis is a portion of an axial distance between the leading edge of one blade and the trailing edge of an adjacent blade.

A transportation system is disclosed herein. The transportation system may be useful to convey a user from an origin to a destination. The transportation system includes a network of enclosed passageways, roadway lanes passing though and networking within the passageways, vehicles able to pass along the roadway lanes within the passageways, and multiple passenger terminals dispersed along the passageways to effect boarding of passengers onto the vehicles. The passageways have an interior for containing the rails and vehicles, and an exterior. The vehicle has at least one induction motor for propulsion which engages the electromagnetic rail, a storage device electrically powering the motor, and a braking system able to decelerate the vehicle.

A method of electrically powering an electrical load in an aircraft, the method including electrically powering the electrical load with a main source that generates electricity; measuring an instantaneous parameter characterizing the main source; determining a level of use of the main source from the measured instantaneous parameter; adjusting the voltage of the main source as a function of the level of use; measuring an output voltage from the main source; comparing the measured voltage or the level of use with a predetermined threshold value; and whenever the measured voltage is less than the predetermined threshold value, electrically powering the electrical load from an auxiliary source that stores electricity so as to supply additional electric power to the electrical load.

A release mechanism comprises a locking body mounted for reciprocating movement in a first axial direction between a locked position and a released position. A force transmitting element is coupled to the locking body for transmitting a force (F) to the locking body for moving the locking body from the locked position to the released position. A biasing element acts on the locking body in a direction for moving the locking body from the released position to the locked position. The locking body comprises a slot having a first slot portion extending in said first direction, and a second slot portion extending transversely from one side of said first slot portion at an end thereof. The slot slidably receives an actuating element therein.

A ram air turbine rotor comprises at least one intra-flow path shroud structure coupled between rotor blades, along a radial position between a support disc and an outer rim. The shroud structure includes shroud sectors each coupled between a respective pair of blades. The sectors each include a first edge adjacent to leading edges of the respective pair of blades, the first edge including a first curved segment, and a second edge adjacent to trailing edges of the respective pair of blades, the second edge including a second curved segment. The curved segments are each partially defined by a respective ellipse having a semi-major axis and a semi-minor axis. The semi-major axis is a portion of a spanwise distance between the respective pair of blades. The semi-minor axis is a portion of an axial distance between the leading edge of one blade and the trailing edge of an adjacent blade.

A ram air turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a turbine assembly including blades and a hub to which the blades are connected, a generator or a pump and a drivetrain mechanically interposed between the turbine assembly and the generator or the pump. Each blade includes an exterior, airfoil-shaped structure defining an interior and support structures disposed within the interior which connect with an inner surface of the exterior, airfoil-shaped structure and which define hollow regions within the interior.

A forced-air battery charging system for a vehicle having an engine compartment includes a turbine assembly having a casing and a plurality of blades, the casing being positioned forwardly in the engine compartment for operably receiving ambient air as the vehicle travels forwardly and having an outlet expelling the ambient air. The plurality of blades are situated in the casing between the inlet and the outlet and are operable to rotate about an axis when impacted by the received ambient air in a direction askew to the axis. An electricity generator is operatively coupled to the plurality of blades. The system includes an air duct having walls that define a channel having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being open and in communication with the casing outlet, the distal end being open through which the ambient air exits under the vehicle after passing through the air duct proximal end.

A ram air turbine has turbine blades connected to rotate a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is connected to drive a first gear which is engaged to drive a second gear. The second gear is connected to rotate an output shaft extending through a strut away from the transmission shaft. A governor arrangement is configured to change a pitch angle of the blades in response to speed, and includes counterweights acting on a spring in the governor arrangement. The governor spring is positioned on an opposed side of the strut relative to the turbine.

A ram air turbine includes a turbine with one or more blades, a strut removably coupled to the turbine and having a gearbox section and a drive section, a cover located at an end of the gearbox section of the strut with a test plug having a static seal, a turbine shaft and a bevel gear located in the gearbox section of the strut and a driveshaft and a pinion gear located in the drive section of the strut, wherein the pinion gear engages with the bevel gear. The turbine shaft may include a dynamic seal that provides sealing between the turbine shaft and the cover. The test plug may be a threaded plug. The cover may also utilize a dynamic seal. The turbine shaft may include a splined internal cavity for use with a ground test motor.

A ram air turbine is provided that utilizes a one-piece strut. The strut includes an integral gearbox section and an integral drive section. Within the strut, a turbine shaft and a bevel gear engages a driveshaft and a pinion gear, which transfers rotation from the turbine to a generator. The strut may be machined from a single piece of metal, such as aluminum.