The Boeing Company

Mark E Howe

Sergey D Barmichev

Stephen T Brown

George Larimore Huggins

Kevin L Loss

B Kelly Sheahan

Hybrid turbine engines and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. The hybrid turbine engines include a first thrust-generating device that includes a turbine with a turbine rotary shaft and a clutch, which includes a clutch input, which is operatively coupled to the turbine rotary shaft, and a clutch output. The clutch defines an engaged state and a disengaged state. The hybrid turbine engines also include a rotary electric machine including a machine rotary shaft that is operatively coupled to the clutch output, a second thrust-generating device that is operatively coupled to the machine rotary shaft, and an electric power system. The rotary electric machine is configured to selectively receive an electric power output from the electric power system, such as to selectively produce additional thrust, and to selectively receive in an input torque from the machine rotary shaft, such as to selectively produce additional electric power.

Hybrid turbine jet engines and methods of operating the same

A method of varying a fan duct nozzle throat area of a gas turbine engine includes pivoting a fan nozzle outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The fan nozzle is configured to move axially non-contemporaneously with the pivoting of the fan nozzle.

Method of varying a fan duct nozzle throat area of a gas turbine engine

A variable area nozzle system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan duct inner wall, a fan duct outer wall disposed in radially spaced relation to the fan duct inner wall, and a fan nozzle. The fan nozzle defines at least a portion of the fan duct outer wall and includes a nozzle aft edge. The fan duct inner wall and the nozzle aft edge collectively define a fan duct nozzle throat area. The fan nozzle is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that may be oriented transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The fan nozzle may be pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position in order to vary the fan duct nozzle throat area.

Pivoting fan nozzle nacelle

Auxiliary fuel tank systems for aircraft and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, an aircraft can include a fuselage, at least one engine, and a fuel system configured to distribute fuel to at least one of the engine and an aerial refueling manifold. The aircraft can further include an auxiliary fuel tank system operably coupled to the fuel system. The auxiliary fuel tank system can include a master tank assembly and at least one slave tank assembly. The master tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage, and can include a master tank body configured to hold fuel. The master tank body can be configured to pass through a door in the fuselage without disassembly. The slave tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage at least proximate to the master tank assembly, and can include a slave tank body configured to hold fuel.

Auxiliary fuel tank systems for aircraft and methods for their manufacture and use

An apparatus for supporting an aircraft system interconnect member between a strut and an engine of the aircraft. The apparatus includes a disconnect panel near the engine through which the interconnect member is connected with the engine, and a support structure movably attached to the strut and that supports the interconnect member near the strut.

Apparatus and methods for support of propulsion systems interconnect members

A method and apparatus contains and drains leakage from fluid system piping on a mobile platform such as an aircraft. A generally U-shaped channel is formed having outwardly oriented edge flanges and either integral or attached end plates. A pair of drain connections is disposed adjacent to each end plate. A group of fluid lines including at least one flammable fluid line is loaded within the U-shaped channel. A cover plate having outwardly oriented edge flanges aligning with the U-shaped channel edge flanges is positioned over the U-shaped channel. The edge flanges of both the cover plate and the U-shaped channel are joined with a seal such that a fluid-tight assembly results. Fluid leakage from any of the group of enclosed fluid lines discharges through the pair of drain connections. One of the end plates forms a firewall connectable to an engine firewall boundary.

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Mukilteo, WA, United States of America

Mark E Howe