In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an electric aircraft can include an electrical accumulator, an electric propulsion system operatively connected to the electrical accumulator and configured to convert electrical energy into propulsive force, and a ram air turbine (RAT) operatively connected to the electrical accumulator to store energy. The RAT can be selectively deployable between a stowed position wherein the RAT is not exposed to ram air and a deployed position wherein the RAT is exposed to ram air to store energy in the electrical accumulator.

Disclosed is an air cycle machine (ACM) having: a turbine; a compressor; a compressor shaft connected to the compressor and configured to receive rotational energy from a gearbox; and a turbine shaft connected to the turbine and configured to provide rotational energy to the gearbox; wherein the turbine shaft and the compressor shaft operate at different rotational speeds.

An aircraft installation of a pneumatic system of an aircraft with different compressed air sources for supplying pressurized air to air consumer equipment. Either an air bleed system, electrical compressors, or a combination thereof may perform such supplying of compressed air depending on the aircraft operation condition, for instance the flight altitude or specific flight phases. Also, a turbofan engine, and a method for supplying compressed air to air consumer equipment are disclosed.

A ram air turbine release system including a turbine defining a rotational axis including at least one notch therein for receiving a plunger to prevent rotation of the turbine mechanically by moving between a first position and a second position, and a first bearing system contacting at least a portion of an outer surface of the plunger configured to reduce friction produced when the plunder moves between the first positon and the second position.

A strut system for a RAT includes a strut body, a strut first end is connected to the aircraft and rotate about a first axis, a strut second end is spaced apart from the strut first end by the strut body and is connected to the RAT turbine generator unit, the strut has a strut conduit extending from the strut first end toward the strut second end; and a damper rod that includes a rod body and disposed within the strut conduit, the damper rod having a rod first end that is fixed within the strut conduit at the strut first end, and a rod second end that is spaced apart from the rod first end by the rod body and is located intermediate the strut first end and the strut second end, wherein the rod second end moves along a second axis that is parallel to the first axis.

A method for positioning a ram air turbine during its assembly on a primary structure of an aircraft. The method includes the steps of: placing a first distance sensor on a first element among a first flap and the ram air turbine, a second distance sensor on a second element among a second flap and the ram air turbine, the first and second distance sensors being configured to respectively emit first and second signals corresponding to measured values over time of a distance between each of the first and second distance sensors and at least one mobile target attached to the ram air turbine or the first and second flap, pivoting the mast between the retracted and deployed positions, analyzing the first and second signals, and, if necessary, repositioning the ram air turbine according to the step of analyzing the first and second signals.

An actuator release mechanism comprising an axially moveable member such as a piston biased in a first axial position by a bias spring and driven to a second axial position by an actuation means such as a solenoid arranged in substantially the same axis as the axially moveable member.

A ram air turbine having: a strut assembly having an outer housing enclosing a first inner chamber; a generator housing operatively connected to the strut assembly, the generator housing having an outer surface enclosing a second inner chamber, the second inner chamber being fluidly connected to first inner chamber; a turbine assembly operably connected to the strut assembly, the turbine assembly in operation rotates in freestream air; and a power generation device mechanically connected to the turbine assembly and located within the second inner chamber, the power generation device generates power as turbine assembly rotates. The strut assembly includes a first screen portion having a plurality of inlet holes integrally formed in the outer housing. The generator housing includes a second screen portion having a plurality of outlet holes integrally formed in the outer surface. Freestream air passes through inlet holes, over the power generation device, and out outlet holes.

A hydraulic damping device includes a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a damping plate disposed within the housing, the damping plate including a plurality of damping holes defined therethrough and positioned to allow fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a blocking member disposed within the housing and configured to rotate relative to the damping plate to progressively block the damping holes.

An electrical energy generator system for an aircraft, the system including a streamlined fairing containing at least one turbine housed in the front portion of the fairing, and an electrical energy generator connected to said turbine. The front portion of the fairing is fitted with air admission means that are movable between an open position in which the turbine is exposed to the stream of air outside the fairing and a closed position in which the turbine is masked inside the fairing. The system may serve to reduce the aerodynamic drag caused by turbulence present at a wing tip for a conventional wing having sharp edges during stages of takeoff, climbing, and cruising; and during stages of descent it makes it possible to recover the kinetic and potential energy that has been accumulated by the aircraft during its stages of climbing and cruising.