Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

The invention relates to a wheel of a turbine engine comprising a plurality of radially extending vanes, one radially internal or external end of which is connected to an annular platform carrying annular lips (42, 44) extending from said platform in a direction opposite the vane in order to sealingly cooperate with a radially facing abradable material (28). According to the invention, the wheel comprises at least one lip (42, 44) having a concave curved upstream face and a convex curved downstream face or having a convex curved upstream face and a concave curved downstream face.

The invention relates to a wheel of a turbine engine comprising a plurality of radially extending vanes, one radially internal or external end of which is connected to an annular platform carrying annular lips (42, 44) extending from said platform in a direction opposite the vane in order to sealingly cooperate with a radially facing abradable material (28). According to the invention, the wheel comprises at least one lip (42, 44) having a concave curved upstream face and a convex curved downstream face or having a convex curved upstream face and a concave curved downstream face.

The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.

The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus.

A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, and a face seal assembly including a first segmented seal ring and a second segmented seal ring. The first segmented seal ring includes a plurality of joints and a first flat-contact surface and the second segmented seal ring includes a plurality of segment ends and a second flat-contact surface. One of the first and second segmented seal rings includes a seal bearing face. The second segmented seal ring is coupled to the first segmented seal ring such that the second flat-contact surface is in contact with the first flat-contact surface. The plurality of segment ends is circumferentially offset from the plurality of joints. The first segmented seal ring is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces.

A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, and a face seal assembly including a first segmented seal ring and a second segmented seal ring. The first segmented seal ring includes a plurality of joints and a first flat-contact surface and the second segmented seal ring includes a plurality of segment ends and a second flat-contact surface. One of the first and second segmented seal rings includes a seal bearing face. The second segmented seal ring is coupled to the first segmented seal ring such that the second flat-contact surface is in contact with the first flat-contact surface. The plurality of segment ends is circumferentially offset from the plurality of joints. The first segmented seal ring is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces.

A turbine engine that includes a stationary assembly, and a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the stationary assembly. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of unitary turbine and fan blades. Each unitary turbine and fan blade includes a single turbine airfoil, a single fan airfoil positioned radially outward from the single turbine airfoil, and a midspan shroud segment defined between the single turbine airfoil and the single fan airfoil.

A turbine engine that includes a stationary assembly, and a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the stationary assembly. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of unitary turbine and fan blades. Each unitary turbine and fan blade includes a single turbine airfoil, a single fan airfoil positioned radially outward from the single turbine airfoil, and a midspan shroud segment defined between the single turbine airfoil and the single fan airfoil.