United Technologies Corporation

Michael J Larkin

Stephen A Morford

Donald C Eiler

Thomas A Wynosky

William E Fortmann

A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nacelle assembly that includes an inlet lip section and an inlet internal diffuser section downstream of the inlet lip section. A variable area fan nozzle is positioned near an aft segment of the nacelle assembly, the variable area fan nozzle adaptable to move between a first position having a first discharge airflow area and a second position having a second discharge airflow area greater than the first discharge airflow area. At least one boundary layer control device is positioned near one of the inlet lip section and the inlet internal diffuser section. A controller is configured to move the variable area fan nozzle from the first position to the second position and to actuate the at least one boundary layer control device to introduce an airflow in response to an operability condition.

Gas turbine engine having slim-line nacelle

A method of providing a slim-line nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes the steps of detecting a windmilling condition and increasing a discharge airflow area of a variable area fan nozzle in response to the detection of the windmilling condition.

A gas turbine engine system includes nacelle, a first boundary layer control device, a second boundary layer control device, at least one sensor, and a controller. The nacelle is defined about an axis and includes an inlet lip section, an inlet internal diffuser section, and a variable area fan nozzle moveable to influence a discharge airflow area of the nacelle. The first boundary layer control device is positioned near the inlet lip section and is actuable to introduce a first airflow at the inlet lip section. The second boundary layer control device is positioned near the inlet internal diffuser section and is actuable to introduce a second airflow at the inlet internal diffuser section. The sensor produces a signal that represents an operability condition. The controller receives the signal and simultaneously moves the variable area fan nozzle and actuates the first boundary layer control device and the second boundary layer control device in response to receiving the signal to achieve a slim-line nacelle.

A nacelle assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a nacelle, a variable area fan nozzle, a sensor that detects a windmilling condition and a controller that communicates with the sensor. The variable area fan nozzle is moveable between a first position having a first discharge airflow area and a second position having a second discharge airflow area greater than the first discharge airflow area in response to detecting the windmilling condition.

A gas turbine engine is provided with an oil cooler which receives cooling air from a turbo fan. At times when the turbo fan is operating at lower speeds, the volume of cooling air is also lowered. At such times, a supplemental airflow is provided over heat exchangers in the oil cooler. The supplemental airflow includes a supplemental airflow fan and valve for selectively controlling the supplemental airflow over the heat exchangers.

Supplemental oil cooler airflow for gas turbine engine

The present invention relates to a variable cycle boost propulsor system for use on an aircraft. The variable cycle boost propulsor system includes an engine, a turbine, a fan connected to the turbine, and a valve system for delivering the fluid output from the engine to the turbine for driving the turbine and the fan and thereby generating additional thrust for the aircraft. The engine is also used to provide power to one or more systems onboard the aircraft.

Variable cycle boost propulsor

An exhaust nozzle extends from an engine nacelle and has an opening disposed at an acute angle such that the exhaust stream is blown over a length of the propeller blade. The opening has a plurality of guide vanes disposed therein to shape the exhaust stream most effectively. By spreading the exhaust stream over the length of a propeller, mixing of the exhaust stream with ambient air is maximized, thereby lowering the temperature of the exhaust stream to tolerable levels.

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Rocky Hill, CT, United States of America

Michael J Larkin