1872results about "Cosmonautic propulsion system apparatus" patented technology

The present invention relates to a propulsion system of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft or vehicle moving in any fluid or vacuum and more particularly to a vector control system of the vehicle propulsion thrust allowing an independent displacement with six degrees of freedom, three degrees of translation in relation to its centre of mass and three degrees of rotation in relation to its centre of mass. The aircraft displacement ability using the propulsion system of the present invention depends on two main thrusters or propellers and which can be tilted around pitch is (I) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform a forward or backward movement, can be tilted around roll axis (X) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform lateral movements to the right or to the left and to perform upward or downward movements (Z), the main thrusters being further used to perform rotations around the vehicle yaw axis (Z) and around the roll is (X). The locomotion function also uses one or two auxiliary thrusters or propellers and mainly used to control the rotation around the pitch axis, these thrusters or propellers and being fixed at or near the longitudinal is of the vehicle, with there thrust perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the roll and pitch axis of the vehicle.

A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a first fan assembly disposed upstream from the core gas turbine engine, a first gearbox coupled to the first fan assembly, and a second gearbox coupled to a booster compressor such that the booster compressor rotates in a rotational direction that is opposite to the rotational direction of the first fan assembly. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.

The present invention provides a docking mechanism that is capable of interfacing with Apogee Boost Motors (ABM) including Liquid Apogee Motors (LAM) of the satellite being captured to allow a servicing spacecraft to dock with a satellite that has no special docking features. The docking mechanism includes a compliant probe with spring-loaded fingers at its tip which is inserted into the LAM by the approach motion of the servicer spacecraft. When the probe tip has passed beyond the throat of the LAM the finger extend to trap the LAM on the probe thus achieving capture. The rigidization stage of docking is achieved by retracting the probe to pull the two spacecraft together. The docking mechanism includes abutment pads which interface with the launcher interface ring of the client spacecraft. With the preload applied by the probe retraction mechanism reacted through these pads, the docking mechanism can maintain a rigid docked interface under loads induced by thrusting maneuvers of the combined spacecraft or loads induced by on-orbit servicing operations.

A method of converting air internal energy into useful kinetic energy is based on air flowing through substantially convergent nozzle, which accelerates the air as the cross section of the nozzle decreases thus increasing the air kinetic energy. The increment of the kinetic energy equals to the decrement of air internal energy, i.e., air temperature. Within said nozzle a turbine is placed to convert airflow kinetic energy into mechanical energy that transformed into electrical energy or transferred into a gearbox to provide driving moment. Devices uses this method could use natural wind as airflow source or artificial airflow means. Devices, which incorporate means to create airflow artificially, can be used as engines for land, sea and flying vehicle. Since air temperature drops within the nozzle, moisture condensation exists and liquid water can be accumulated for further use.

An autonomous unmanned space flight system and planetary lander executes a discrete landing sequence including performing an initial velocity braking maneuver to remove velocity at altitude, coasting during which the planet surface is imaged and correlated to reference maps to estimate cross-track and along-track navigation errors and one or more lateral braking maneuvers are performed to reduce cross-track navigation error, and performing a terminal velocity braking maneuver(s) to reduce the along-track braking maneuver and remove the remainder of the velocity just prior to landing. A bi-propellant propulsion system provides a very high T / M ratio, at least 15:1 per nozzle. Short, high T / M divert maneuvers provide the capability to remove cross-track navigation error efficiently up to the maximum resolution of the reference maps. Short, high T / M terminal velocity braking maneuver(s) provide the capability to remove along-track navigation error to a similar resolution and remove the remaining velocity in a very short time window, approximately 3-15 seconds prior to touchdown. The propulsive efficiency frees up mass which can be allocated to a fuel to remove the unknown navigation errors, perform hazard avoidance and / or relocate the lander by flying it to another site or be allocated to additional payload.

The present invention provides a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and (c) can be moved along the longitudinal axis, a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode, a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and wherein the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, and the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle crate a plasma the discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle.

An exhaust mixer assembly having a twisted mixer and an open centerbody is provided. The open centerbody is centrally disposed within the twisted mixer and helps to provide efficient cooling of exhaust air from gas turbine engines. A method for cooling exhaust air from a gas turbine engine using the exhaust mixer assembly of the invention is also provided.

A gas turbine engine system includes a fan (14), a housing (28) arranged about the fan, a gas turbine engine core having a compressor (16) at least partially within the housing, and a fan bypass passage (30) downstream of the fan for conveying a bypass airflow (D) between the housing and the gas turbine engine core. A nozzle (40) associated with the fan bypass passage includes a first nozzle section (54a) that is operative to move in a generally axial direction to influence the bypass airflow, and a second nozzle section that is operative to also move in a generally axial direction between a stowed position and a thrust reverse position that diverts the bypass airflow in a thrust reversing direction. An actuator (42) selectively moves the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section to influence the bypass airflow and provide thrust reversal.

A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a forward fan assembly and an axially aft fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the forward fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the aft fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction, and coupling a booster compressor directly to the low-pressure turbine such that the booster compressor rotates in the first direction.

A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a forward fan assembly and an axially aft fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the forward fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the aft fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction, and coupling a booster compressor directly to the low-pressure turbine such that the booster compressor rotates in the first direction.

A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a first fan assembly including a plurality of rotor blades that are configured to rotate in a first rotational direction at a first rotational speed, rotatably coupling a second fan assembly axially aft of the first fan assembly, wherein the second fan assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are configured to rotate in a second rotational direction, and coupling a gearbox to the second fan assembly that is configured to rotate the second fan assembly at a second rotational speed that is different than the first rotational speed.

A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a booster compressor coupled upstream from the core gas turbine engine, an intermediate-pressure turbine coupled to the booster compressor, the intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating fan assembly disposed upstream from the booster compressor, the counter-rotating fan assembly comprising a first fan configured to rotate in a first direction and a second fan configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and a low-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the intermediate-pressure turbine, the low-pressure turbine configured to drive the counter-rotating fan assembly. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.

A power and cooling management system configured to flexibly couple various adaptive modules to an integrated power and cooling unit to suit any aircraft platform is provided. The integrated power and cooling unit has a compressor, a power turbine, a cooling turbine and an integral starter generator mounted to the shaft of the power and cooling turbine. The integrated power and cooling unit may be pneumatically and / or pneumatically coupled to an adaptive module that comprises an additional compressor and an additional turbine or electrically coupled to a fuel cell which provides the main power after entering the full operation mode. When the engine includes an integral starter generator mounted thereto, the integral starter generator of the integrated power and cooling unit is operative to receive electric power from the engine mounted generator. Alternatively, a motor / generator may be mounted to the shaft of the additional turbine of the adaptive module.

A method enables a gas turbine engine to be operated. The method comprises channeling exhaust gases from a core engine through an exhaust assembly and past at least one flow boundary surface, and selectively operating a noise suppression system extending from the at least one flow boundary surface to facilitate attenuating noise generated during engine operation.

A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a forward fan assembly and an axially aft fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the forward fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the aft fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction, and coupling a booster compressor to the low-pressure turbine such that the booster compressor rotates in the first direction.

Methods and systems for starting aircraft turbofan engines are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electrically-powered starter motor coupled to a turbofan engine to provide power to the turbofan engine during an engine start procedure. The system can further include an on-board, deployable, ram air driven turbine coupled to an electrical generator, which is in turn coupled to the starter motor to provide electrical power to the starter motor. In other embodiments, the ram air driven turbine can be replaced with a fuel cell or a battery. In still further embodiments, a single controller can control operation of both the engine starter and other motors of the aircraft.

An external jet nozzle mixer (20) includes identically formed lobes (48), equal in number those of the internal mixer (42). External mixer (20) works with internal mixer (42), further to mix the engine internal bypass flow with the internal jet engine core flow, to level the disparate exhaust flow velocities, to reduce the peak velocities from the jet engine core and increase the lower bypass velocities of the engine internal bypass flow, and thereby to reduce noise. The internal lobe contours act as lifting flutes, causing mixing of the primary hot and cold flows before exiting the nozzle. The external lobe contours act as venturi chutes, accelerating the cooler ambient air secondary flow. The lobes thus act collectively as an injector to force the cooler ambient secondary flow into the previously mixed primary flow as it exits the nozzle. Also obtained is an increased thrust efficiency and a consequently decreased fuel consumption and engine emissions.

A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a booster compressor coupled upstream from the core gas turbine engine, an intermediate-pressure turbine coupled to the booster compressor, the intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating fan assembly disposed upstream from the booster compressor, the counter-rotating fan assembly comprising a first fan configured to rotate in a first direction and a second fan configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and an intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, wherein the intermediate-pressure turbine drives the booster compressor and the second fan assembly. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.

A method and apparatus for conducting proximity operations is disclosed. The method called inverser proximity operations includes maneuvering an active vehicle into general proximity to a target vehicle, transmitting from the target vehicle to the active vehicle data representing relative position and velocity between the target vehicle and the active vehicle, and maneuvering the active vehicle in accordance with the data to effect a desired proximity operation. Another method called distributed proximity operations includes maneuvering a carrier vehicle into general proximity to a target vehicle, releasing one or more active vehicles from the carrier vehicle, transmitting from the carrier vehicle to the active vehicle(s) data representing relative position and velocity between the target vehicle and the active vehicle, and maneuvering the active vehicle(s) in accordance with the data to effect a desired proximity operation. The proximity operations are similarly suitable for aeronautical systems, such as when using an active aircraft to re-fuel a target aircraft, such as a drone. Whether for space, air, or other environments, the proximity operations described can be used for re-fueling, repairing, and replacing components and / or systems.

A method and apparatus for cooling a fluid in a bypass gas turbine engine involves directing the fluid to the bypass duct of the engine to allow for heat exchange from the fluid to bypass air passing through the bypass air duct.

A microvalve and microthruster are provided. Both include a housing with an interior in which an armature can travel and abut a valve seat to provide an electromagnetic valve. The armature acts as a valve body that is maintained in a or normally closed position by a permanent magnet, and is opened by interaction with a selectively activatable electromagnet. A microthruster is provided by fashioning the valve discharge as a nozzle, preferably of a material that is permanently and selectively magnetizable, so that the nozzle functions as the permanent magnet and which magnetism can be adjusted to assure proper opening and closing of the valve portion. The valve body is guided without any sliding fit mechanism and is suitable for controlling gas or liquid fluid flows.