The present invention relates to an improved turbocharger assembly, particularly of the variable geometry type. The improved turbocharge assembly contains a turbine. The turbine includes an impeller housed in a casing, a flange that can be sealingly associated with a corresponding flange of an exhaust gas manifold of an engine, and a clapet valve that contains a shutter element and a housing seat. The housing seat is fashioned in a frame made in one piece with the casing.

A computer implemented method for detecting a damage to a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a fan and a plurality of turbine stages including a low pressure turbine stage. The fan is drivably coupled to the low pressure turbine stage. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of rotation of the fan. The method further includes receiving a second signal indicative of a speed of rotation of the low pressure turbine stage. The method further includes determining a difference metric representative of a difference between the speed of rotation of the fan and the speed of rotation of the low pressure turbine stage. The method further includes determining whether a damage event has occurred based on whether the difference metric passes a threshold.

A computer implemented method for detecting a damage to a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a fan and a plurality of turbine stages including a low pressure turbine stage. The fan is drivably coupled to the low pressure turbine stage. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of rotation of the fan. The method further includes receiving a second signal indicative of a speed of rotation of the low pressure turbine stage. The method further includes determining a difference metric representative of a difference between the speed of rotation of the fan and the speed of rotation of the low pressure turbine stage. The method further includes determining whether a damage event has occurred based on whether the difference metric passes a threshold.

The present invention relates to an improved turbocharger assembly, particularly of the variable geometry type. The improved turbocharge assembly contains a turbine. The turbine includes an impeller housed in a casing, a flange that can be sealingly associated with a corresponding flange of an exhaust gas manifold of an engine, and a clapet valve that contains a shutter element and a housing seat. The housing seat is fashioned in a frame made in one piece with the casing.

Systems and methods for detecting inclement weather in the vicinity of an aircraft engine are described herein. At least a first engine parameter and a second engine parameter are obtained, each engine parameter varies with changing weather conditions. An arithmetic value is determined as a function of at least the first engine parameter and the second engine parameter. The arithmetic value varies with changing weather conditions. A rate of change of the arithmetic value is determined. Inclement weather is detected when the rate of change exceeds a threshold.

Herein provided are systems and methods for operating an aircraft engine during inclement weather. At least one image of a location substantially in line with a heading of the aircraft is acquired. Based on the at least one image, an inclement weather condition in the location is detected. An alert mode of the engine is triggered upon detecting the inclement weather condition. Responsive to the alert mode being triggered, at least one predetermined performance parameter of the engine is monitored. Upon detecting a change in the at least one predetermined performance parameter beyond a predetermined threshold, at least one operating condition of the engine is altered.

Herein provided are systems and methods for operating an engine of an aircraft. The engine is operated at a first fuel flow rate. An indication of a measured humidity level within the engine is obtained from a humidity sensor coupled to the engine. A determination is made regarding whether the measured humidity level within the engine is indicative that a flameout risk for the engine is below a predetermined risk level. Responsive to determining that the flameout risk is below the predetermined risk level, the engine is operated at a second fuel flow rate lower than the first fuel flow rate.

Herein provided are systems and methods for operating an aircraft engine during inclement weather. At least one image of a location substantially in line with a heading of the aircraft is acquired. Based on the at least one image, an inclement weather condition in the location is detected. An alert mode of the engine is triggered upon detecting the inclement weather condition. Responsive to the alert mode being triggered, at least one predetermined performance parameter of the engine is monitored. Upon detecting a change in the at least one predetermined performance parameter beyond a predetermined threshold, at least one operating condition of the engine is altered.

A variable-geometry system for a gas turbine engine can be used to improve operations in various inclement weather conditions. This may be achieved by varying the orientation of an element in a gas turbine engine flowpath in response to a comparison between sensor-gathered parameter data and stored parameter values and ranges using a pre-programmed algorithm. The orientation of the element may be infinitely variable within a range of orientations.

Systems and methods for detecting inclement weather in the vicinity of an aircraft engine are described herein. At least a first engine parameter and a second engine parameter are obtained, each engine parameter varies with changing weather conditions. An arithmetic value is determined as a function of at least the first engine parameter and the second engine parameter. The arithmetic value varies with changing weather conditions. A rate of change of the arithmetic value is determined. Inclement weather is detected when the rate of change exceeds a threshold.