Abstract: Computer software can be secured so that it only operates on a customer system that has a protection file that is unique to the system. The software is inoperable when copied to other systems, even though the protection file is copied as well. The protection file is sufficiently encoded so that attempts to alter the file for use on another system will be futile. The process of encoding the protection file is sufficiently complex, so that attempts to reverse engineer the construction of the file will also be futile. The logic that encodes the protection file is never available for direct use on the customer system. For software that is distributed on copyable media, the protection file is created by a program on the product distributor's system. When the protection file is prepared during a software download request, multiple programs are used. These programs are encrypted within a composite file.

Abstract: Concentric installation of a pilot fuel assembly in an opening in a gas turbine combustor casing is achieved by providing a boss having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the combustor casing surrounding the opening and a mounting flange having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the pilot fuel assembly. The pilot fuel assembly is concentrically installed to the combustor casing by inserting the assembly into the combustor casing opening, and moving the pilot fuel assembly as far as it will go in a first direction substantially parallel to one of the flat boss surfaces. The distance between the other flat boss surface and one of the flat flange surfaces is then taken. Next, the pilot fuel assembly is moved in the direction opposite the first direction, at which point, the distance between the same two flat surfaces is again measured.

Abstract: A spring system includes an axially moving center attachment located between two static attachments. Bi-directional axial center deflections cause push-pull restoration forces. There is little mechanical fixturing preload stress acting on material also subjected to high cyclic stresses. The spring material includes an unbroken path between the two static attachments, going through the center attachment. In one embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into substantially parallel side-by-side helices clamped statically at the bottom of each helix. A moving attachment grips the center of the wire bridging diagonally between the tops of the helices. In a second embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into end-to-end helices sharing a common axis and clamped statically at the axially opposite ends of the spring.

Abstract: A system for measuring and controlling solenoid armature position. The system determines inductive voltage in the drive winding of the solenoid, integrates that voltage to obtain flux, and uses the current/flux ratio to measure armature position. To overcome integration drift, the current/flux position measure is compared to an independent position measure, this comparison leading to a drift correction. In an embodiment maintaining a servo-controlled position, flux drift causes position drift and current drift, the latter providing an independent measure of position drift and flux drift, permitting drift correction. In a second embodiment, a high frequency component of the drive voltage (possibly from pulse width modulation) and a high frequency current measurement provide the independent measure of position.

Abstract: A case for retaining disks therein. The case is preferably a two-piece structure formed of a lid and a base detachably coupled together. The base is formed to include a disk retainer that is rotatable with respect to the base. The retainer is coupled to a wall of the base using a living hinge that permits rotation of the retainer well away from the interior surface of the base. The retainer includes a modified hub for capturing the disk. The modified hub has a tongue-and-capturing-structure combination permitting easy application of the disk to the hub and removal therefrom with little stress on the disk. The lid is coupled to the base using a pair of rotatable cams that allow the lid to be rotatable well away from the base. The two-piece structure with the rotatable disk retainer and lid make the case of the present invention compatible with an array of automated disk packaging processes and equipment.

Abstract: The field of view of an optical sensor used in a burner assembly of a glass-ceramic cooktop appliance is improved by providing the burner assembly with a wide angle optical element. The burner assembly includes a burner casing having a bore formed therein. The optical sensor is located in the lower end of the bore, and the wide angle optical element is located in the upper end of the bore. The wide angle optical element directs radiation from over the entire heated portion of the glass-ceramic plate onto the optical sensor. The a wide angle optical element also prevents dust from falling onto the sensor. In one preferred embodiment, the wide angle optical element is a Fresnel lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing lenticular lens sheets having improved optical characteristics. The method includes the steps of providing a platen having a series of grooves formed therein so as to define a series of parallel ridges, positioning a sheet of formable material next to the platen, heating the sheet to render it formable, and applying a pressure differential to the sheet that forces the sheet into contact with the ridges on the platen. This process produces a lenticular lens sheet having a plurality of parallel lenticules. Each lenticule has a catenary surface having a non-uniform radius of curvature that is greatest at the center of the lenticule and smallest at its outer edges.

Abstract: A carpet remover is provided for quickly removing glued-down carpets. The carpet remover includes a rotary power source, particularly a power drive, a take-up shaft, and a coupling mechanism for rotatively connecting the shaft to the power source. The shaft has a means for securing an edge of the carpeting to the shaft. Thus, when the shaft is rotated by the power drive, the carpet is pulled from the floor and rolled up on the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft is sectional so that the overall shaft length can be changed in response to how firmly the carpet is adhered to the floor. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft can be broken down into arcuate segments and removed while the stripped carpet is still rolled up.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a cavity formed therein and a plurality of holes extending from the cavity to the bottom surface of the sole. A spike is disposed in each one of the holes, and each spike is translatable between an extended position wherein a first end of the spike protrudes from the bottom surface of the sole and a retracted position wherein the first end does not protrude from the bottom surface of the sole. A slide member is slidably disposed in the cavity and has a plurality of recesses formed in a first surface thereof which is oriented towards the spikes. The slide member is translatable in a lengthwise direction between a first position wherein the recesses are aligned with the spikes so that the spikes assume their retracted position and a second position wherein the recesses are not aligned with the spikes so that the spikes assume their extended position.

Abstract: An additional isolation valve is incorporated into a vacuum processing system to increase the life of the system's mechanical pump, reduce maintenance costs and downtime, prevent particle back streaming and reduce safety risks to maintenance technicians. The system has a process chamber with at least one port, a foreline valve connected to the port, and a vacuum manifold in fluid communication with the foreline valve. The mechanical pump is connected to the vacuum manifold for evacuating the contents of the process chamber. The isolation valve is connected between the foreline valve and the vacuum manifold and is operated in unison, or primarily in unison, with the foreline valve.

Abstract: A damper which provides both blade to blade and blade to ground damping is described. In one embodiment, the damper includes a retainer and a chicklet. The retainer is secured to a rotor disk by a bolt which extends through an opening in the disk and an opening in the retainer. The retainer includes support flanges which facilitate positioning retainer relative to the disk, and sidewalls (or guides) for limiting movement of the chicklet. The chicklet is movably positioned within the retainer, and movement of the chicklet is limited by sidewalls and a cross wall member of the retainer. The retainer positions the chicklet so that in operation, a contact surface of chicklet makes blade to blade contact with adjacent blades. In operation, centrifugal forces drive the chicklet into contact with the blade platforms. Since the chicklet is in contact with adjacent blades, blade to blade damping is provided.

Abstract: A split fan for providing lift for an aircraft is described. In one embodiment, a main engine shaft extends to the split fan, and a portion of the split fan is located at an elevation above the main engine shaft and a portion of the split fan is located at an elevation below the main engine shaft. In the one embodiment, the split fan includes an outer casing configured to be mounted to a fuselage of the aircraft, a first stage rotor including a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft, and a plurality of rotor blades radially extending from the shaft. The split fan also includes a second stage rotor including a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft, and a plurality of blades radially extending from the shaft. A drive shaft having a first end and a second end is coupled at the drive shaft first end to the main engine shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion in a gas turbine engine is disclosed as including a linear mixing duct having a circular cross-section defined by a wall. A gas fuel manifold is positioned adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct and is in flow communication with a gas fuel supply and control means. An outer annular swirler is oriented radially to the mixing duct and positioned adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct to impart swirl to an air stream entering the outer annular swirler. The outer annular swirler includes hollow vanes with internal cavities which are in flow communication with the gas manifold, the outer swirler vanes also having a plurality of gas fuel passages therethrough in flow communication with the internal cavities to inject gas fuel into the radially-oriented air stream.

Abstract: A turbofan engine augmenter includes an exhaust casing and a combustion liner therein which define therebetween a cooling duct for receiving bypass air. A diffusion liner adjoins the combustion liner and defines with the casing an outer inlet for receiving the bypass air, and a radially inner inlet for receiving core gases. A ring flameholder includes an aft facing radial wall adjoining the diffusion liner, and an integral axial wall adjoining the combustion liner. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radial flameholders extend inwardly from the casing and through the diffusion liner forward of the ring flameholder, and each includes a first fuel spraybar for injecting fuel into the core gases. A mixer defined by a plurality of injector chutes extends radially inwardly through the diffusion liner, with the chutes being spaced between respective pairs of the radial flameholders.

Abstract: A multiple bypass turbofan engine including a core engine assembly has a fan bypass duct radially outward of the core engine assembly and has first and second inlets disposed between forward and aft fans driven by a low pressure turbine and a core engine turbine respectively. An inlet duct having an annular duct wall is disposed radially inward of the bypass duct and connects the second inlet to the bypass duct and has disposed within a supercharger means for compressing air which is drivingly connected to the core turbine. One embodiment of the aft fan may have radially inner and outer rows of aft fan vane airfoils separated by a non-rotatable portion of the annular duct wall such that the outer row of aft fan vane airfoils are disposed in the inlet duct and at least one of the aft fan vane airfoils is and, preferably, all of which are, independently variable.

Abstract: A multiple bypass turbofan engine including a core engine assembly has a fan bypass duct radially outward of the core engine assembly and has first and second inlets disposed between forward and aft fans driven by a low pressure turbine and a core engine turbine respectively. An inlet duct having an annular duct wall is disposed radially inward of the bypass duct and connects the second inlet to the bypass duct and has disposed within a supercharger means for compressing air which is drivingly connected to the core turbine. The engine has an duct with an afterburner in an upstream portion and at a downstream end it has an exhaust nozzle with a fixed geometry throat. The nozzle may also have a fixed geometry exhaust nozzle outlet with or without a means for blowing at the throat.

Abstract: A turbine seal includes a first arcuate segment defining a flowpath boundary between combustion gases and air, and includes a radially outwardly extending rail at one end thereof. A second arcuate segment is disposed coaxially with the first segment for defining a continuation of the flowpath boundary, and has a radially extending face adjoining the rail. A leaf seal bridges the rail and the face for sealing leakage therebetween, and a plurality of pins extend through the leaf seal for providing mounting to the rail. Each pin includes a head and an opposite tip, with the pins being fixedly joined to the rail solely about the pin tips for freely supporting the pin heads in a cantilever without obstruction therearound for eliminating supporting tabs. A leaf spring is mounted on the pins between the heads and the leaf seal to pre-load the leaf seal against the rail and face to effect the sealing therebetween.

Abstract: A turbulator configuration is formed on an inner surface of one or more walls defining a cooling passage in a rotor blade of a gas turbine engine, where the cooling passage has a centerline extending therethrough. The turbulator configuration includes a plurality of spaced turbulator pairs oriented with respect to the centerline so that the direction of a boundary layer flow of the coolant adjacent the cooling passage inner surface is consistent with a pair of counter-rotating flow circulations created by Coriolis forces on the coolant flowing into and through the cooling passage when the rotor blade is rotated, whereby heat transfer between the coolant and the wall is enhanced. The turbulator pairs are angled either toward or away from the centerline for leading and trailing walls of the cooling passage depending upon whether the coolant is flowing either radially outward or radially inward.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor is disclosed having a non-linear cavity section, wherein air and fuel injected therein form a trapped vortex for igniting and stabilizing a flame in the combustor. The cavity section, which is substantially rectangular in shape, has an aft wall, a forward wall, and an intermediate wall connected at one end to the aft wall and at the other end to the forward wall. A plurality of passages are provided in the aft wall for injecting fuel therethrough and a plurality of air passages are provided in the aft wall surrounding each fuel passage for injecting air therethrough. Cooling holes are also provided in the aft wall, the forward wall, and the intermediate wall for reinforcing the fuel/air vortex flow in the cavity section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite airfoil, particularly useful as a wide chord fan blade having a high degree of twist in a large high bypass ratio turbofan engine. The composite airfoil of the present invention has a reinforced region of its airfoil that extends a portion of its span from its tip and a portion of its chord from its trailing edge. The region is covered by thin metallic sheathing bonded to trailing edge surfaces of the blade in a manner to reinforce that portion of the composite blade.