Abstract:
A gas turbine engine composite disk includes dovetail slots between disk posts extending radially inwardly from a periphery, a hub ring of composite plies circumscribed about a centerline axis, and radial plies extending radially away from hub ring into disk posts. A segmented intermediate ring concentric with and located radially outwardly of hub ring includes intermediate ring segments having nested plies with annular bases circumscribed about centerline axis and substantially radially extending clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms. An outer segmented ring may be concentric with and located radially outwardly of intermediate ring, include annular outer ring segments with circumferentially stacked composite plies disposed within intermediate ring segments between clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms and radially outwardly of annular bases. An outer skin of outermost composite covering plies may extend circumferentially around composite disk. Circumferential and radial composite plies may include circumferentially and radially oriented fibers.
Abstract:
A surface aeration impeller incorporating a stabilizer cylinder that damps out and eliminates any sustained oscillatory or vibratory displacements normal to the axis of rotation when the impeller is in operation. The surface aeration design operates in a mechanically stable fashion under diverse loading conditions and at any static liquid level submergence of the impeller.
Abstract:
An apparatus for winding one or more fibers under tension onto a former is used for making a turbine or compressor rotor for a gas turbine engine. The apparatus includes an epicyclic system having an annulus wheel means and at least one planet wheel means which can be rolled about a circumference of the annulus wheel means to define an epicycloid path of travel. A guide means is operatively associated with one of the planet wheel means for guiding one or more fibers from a source of supply onto a former, and the guide means is arranged so that its end nearer the former follows a substantially epicycloid motion as dictated by the rolling of the planet wheel means about the circumference of the annulus wheel means.
Abstract:
A bladed rotor drum or wheel for an axial flow compressor or turbine is made up of an outer ring and an inner ring within the outer ring and spokes connecting the two rings, the spokes being so directed as to exert an inward component of force on both rings. Blades extend into the gas path from the inner ring through openings in the outer ring. Preferably, blades are also mounted on the outer ring. End bells or discs may be provided on one or the other or both of the rings.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine composite disk includes dovetail slots between disk posts extending radially inwardly from a periphery, a hub ring of composite plies circumscribed about a centerline axis, and radial plies extending radially away from hub ring into disk posts. A segmented intermediate ring concentric with and located radially outwardly of hub ring includes intermediate ring segments having nested plies with annular bases circumscribed about centerline axis and substantially radially extending clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms. An outer segmented ring may be concentric with and located radially outwardly of intermediate ring, include annular outer ring segments with circumferentially stacked composite plies disposed within intermediate ring segments between clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms and radially outwardly of annular bases. An outer skin of outermost composite covering plies may extend circumferentially around composite disk. Circumferential and radial composite plies may include circumferentially and radially oriented fibers.
Abstract:
A small scale, high speed turbomachine is described, as well as a process for manufacturing the turbomachine. The turbomachine is manufactured by diffusion bonding stacked sheets of metal foil, each of which has been pre-formed to correspond to a cross section of the turbomachine structure. The turbomachines include rotating elements as well as static structures. Using this process, turbomachines may be manufactured with rotating elements that have outer diameters of less than four inches in size, and/or blading heights of less than 0.1 inches. The rotating elements of the turbomachines are capable of rotating at speeds in excess of 150 feet per second. In addition, cooling features may be added internally to blading to facilitate cooling in high temperature operations.
Abstract:
A unitary turbine wheel for a gas turbine engine, the turbine wheel including a pair of initially separate discs which are diffusion bonded together and define air passageways which extend radially through the discs. A plurality of initially separate turbine blades are provided each of which defines cooling air passageways, and the turbine blades are diffusion bonded in angularly spaced relationship to the peripheral surfaces of the discs with the air passageways in the blades communicating with the air passageways defined by the discs. Means is provided for drivably connecting the turbine wheel to a turbine shaft, and in a preferred embodiment, the turbine blades have a thermally insulating coating on the exposed surfaces thereof.