Patent classifications
F02K3/062
Compound Helicopters having Hybrid Propulsion Engines
A hybrid propulsion engine for a rotorcraft includes a core turboshaft engine having a gas path and an output shaft that provides torque to a main rotor. A fan module is disposed relative to the core turboshaft engine and is coupled to the output shaft. The fan module has a bypass air path that is independent of the gas path. A thrust nozzle is configured to mix exhaust gases from the core turboshaft engine with bypass air from the fan module and to discharge the mixture to provide propulsive thrust. In a turboshaft configuration, the fan module is closed to prevent the flow of bypass air therethrough such that the thrust nozzle does not provide propulsive thrust. In a turboshaft and turbofan configuration, the fan module is open allowing the flow of bypass air therethrough such that the thrust nozzle provides propulsive thrust, thereby supplying propulsion compounding for the rotorcraft.
Aircraft with a propulsion unit comprising a fan at the rear of the fuselage
The present invention relates to an aircraft comprising a fuselage (1) and a propulsion unit at the rear of the fuselage, the propulsion unit comprising at least one fan rotor (7, 8), a nacelle (14) fairing the fan and at least one connection means (15) connecting the nacelle to the fuselage, the fan being rotated by the energy supplied by at least one gas-turbine gas generator (2a, 2b) housed in the fuselage, said gas generator comprising auxiliary equipment cooled by a cooling circuit. The aircraft is characterised in that said cooling circuit comprises at least one heat exchanger exchanging heat with the ambient air housed in one of said connection means (15) and/or in said nacelle (14). The cooling circuit optionally comprises also a heat exchanger exchanging heat with the ambient air, housed in the tail unit.
Aircraft with a propulsion unit comprising a fan at the rear of the fuselage
The present invention relates to an aircraft comprising a fuselage (1) and a propulsion unit at the rear of the fuselage, the propulsion unit comprising at least one fan rotor (7, 8), a nacelle (14) fairing the fan and at least one connection means (15) connecting the nacelle to the fuselage, the fan being rotated by the energy supplied by at least one gas-turbine gas generator (2a, 2b) housed in the fuselage, said gas generator comprising auxiliary equipment cooled by a cooling circuit. The aircraft is characterised in that said cooling circuit comprises at least one heat exchanger exchanging heat with the ambient air housed in one of said connection means (15) and/or in said nacelle (14). The cooling circuit optionally comprises also a heat exchanger exchanging heat with the ambient air, housed in the tail unit.
Hybrid electric aircraft system with distributed propulsion
A propulsion system for an aircraft includes at least one gas turbine engine, an electric auxiliary fan driving motor configured to selectively receive electric power input from one or more electric power sources, and at least one auxiliary propulsion fan configured to selectively receive a motive force from either or both of the at least one gas turbine engine and the electric auxiliary fan driving motor. The propulsion system also includes a controller configured to establish a plurality of takeoff thrust settings of the at least one gas turbine engine and the electric auxiliary fan driving motor such that a minimum total aircraft thrust required for takeoff of the aircraft is produced.
Aft fan counter-rotating turbine engine
A boundary layer ingestion engine includes a gas generator, a turbine fluidly connected to the gas generator, and a fan mechanically linked to the turbine via at least one shaft. The linkage is configured such that rotation of the turbine is translated to the fan. The boundary layer ingestion engine further includes an exhaust duct fluidly connected to an outlet of the turbine. The exhaust duct is positioned radially inward of the fan.
Aft fan counter-rotating turbine engine
A boundary layer ingestion engine includes a gas generator, a turbine fluidly connected to the gas generator, and a fan mechanically linked to the turbine via at least one shaft. The linkage is configured such that rotation of the turbine is translated to the fan. The boundary layer ingestion engine further includes an exhaust duct fluidly connected to an outlet of the turbine. The exhaust duct is positioned radially inward of the fan.
Dual mode turbofan engine
A dual mode turbofan engine includes a jet engine portion having a compressor, a turbine disposed aft of the compressor, and a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine. The jet engine portion is configured to produce an exhaust. The system further includes an auxiliary turbine having a plurality of auxiliary turbine blades. The auxiliary turbine is disposed aft of the turbine and decoupled from the shaft. The system also includes a diverter disposed between the turbine and the auxiliary turbine. The diverter is configured to selectively direct the exhaust to an inner flow path bypassing the plurality of auxiliary turbine blades or to an outer flow path engaging the plurality of turbine blades. A plurality of propeller blades is hingedly connected to the auxiliary turbine.
Method and system for in-line distributed propulsion
A gas turbine engine system and method of operating gas turbine engines are provided. The gas turbine engine assembly includes a gas turbine engine includes a power shaft configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a first fan and a second fan coupled to the power shaft coaxially with the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a first fan duct configured to direct a first stream of air to the first fan. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a second fan duct configured to direct a second stream of air to the second fan. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes an exhaust duct configured to direct a stream of exhaust gases of the gas turbine engine in a direction of the axis of rotation.
Method and system for in-line distributed propulsion
A gas turbine engine system and method of operating gas turbine engines are provided. The gas turbine engine assembly includes a gas turbine engine includes a power shaft configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a first fan and a second fan coupled to the power shaft coaxially with the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a first fan duct configured to direct a first stream of air to the first fan. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes a second fan duct configured to direct a second stream of air to the second fan. The gas turbine engine assembly also includes an exhaust duct configured to direct a stream of exhaust gases of the gas turbine engine in a direction of the axis of rotation.
Propulsion engine for an aircraft
A propulsion system for an aircraft includes an electric propulsion engine. The electric propulsion engine includes an electric motor and a fan rotatable about a central axis of the electric propulsion engine by the electric motor. The electric propulsion engine also includes a bearing supporting rotation of the fan and a thermal management system. The thermal management system includes a lubrication oil circulation assembly and a heat exchanger thermally connected to the lubrication oil circulation assembly. The lubrication oil circulation assembly is configured for providing the bearing with lubrication oil. Such an electric propulsion engine may be a relatively self-sufficient engine.