Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly for use in a fluid flow containing particles of debris is provided including a valve element. The valve element has a seal groove that extends about a periphery and defines an upstream side and a downstream side of the valve element. A seal is disposed within the seal groove. A clearance exists between the seal and an edge of the seal groove. Also, a relief is formed in either the valve element or the seal. The particles of debris accumulate in the relief and not the clearance.

Abstract: A gear bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gear bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab comprising a first side and a second side, the anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gear bearing also comprises a first foil extending in a first direction from a first end to the first side of the anti-rotation tab and a second foil extending in a second direction from a second end to the second side of the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: An air bearing according to an example of the present disclosure includes a stationary member and a shaft with a flange configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member, and at least one of the flange and the shaft have a tungsten-carbide-based coating. An alternative air bearing and a method of making an air bearing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gear bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab comprising a first side and a second side, the anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gear bearing also comprises a first foil extending in a first direction from a first end to the first side of the anti-rotation tab and a second foil extending in a second direction from a second end to the second side of the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A thrust disc for an aircraft and methods of making and using the thrust disc are provided. The thrust disc includes a planar body, and a region unitarily formed from a portion of the body, wherein the region has a plurality of sides defining the region on the planar body, wherein the region has a textured feature, and wherein a subset of the plurality of sides are cut and at least one of the plurality of sides is integrally connected to the body.

Abstract: A thrust disc for an aircraft and methods of making and using the thrust disc are provided. The thrust disc includes a planar body, and a region unitarily formed from a portion of the body, wherein the region has a plurality of sides defining the region on the planar body, wherein the region has a textured feature, and wherein a subset of the plurality of sides are cut and at least one of the plurality of sides is integrally connected to the body.

Abstract: A gas bearing within a cylinder includes an anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder and a first foil forming an inner loop and an intermediary loop. The inner loop extends in a first direction from a first end to an intermediary portion. The intermediary loop extends from the intermediary to the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A gas bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gas bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gas bearing comprises a first foil forming an inner loop and an intermediary loop. The inner loop extends in a first direction from a first end to an intermediary portion. The intermediary loop extends from the intermediary to the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A gas bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gas bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gas bearing comprises a first foil forming an inner loop and an intermediary loop. The inner loop extends in a first direction from a first end to an intermediary portion. The intermediary loop extends from the intermediary to the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A gas bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gas bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab comprising a first side and a second side, the anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gas bearing also comprises a first foil extending in a first direction from a first end to the first side of the anti-rotation tab and a second foil extending in a second direction from a second end to the second side of the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A gas bearing within a cylinder is provided. The gas bearing comprises an anti-rotation tab sitting within a key way of the cylinder. Further, the gas bearing comprises a first foil forming an inner loop and an intermediary loop. The inner loop extends in a first direction from a first end to an intermediary portion. The intermediary loop extends from the intermediary to the anti-rotation tab.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly for use in a fluid flow containing particles of debris is provided including a valve element. The valve element has a seal groove that extends about a periphery and defines an upstream side and a downstream side of the valve element. A seal is disposed within the seal groove. A clearance exists between the seal and an edge of the seal groove. Also, a relief is formed in either the valve element or the seal. The particles of debris accumulate in the relief and not the clearance.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder can be inserted into the ground into a variety of types of dirt, soil and sand, can receive and maintain the handle of a fishing pole, and be removed from the ground and easily transported when not in use. The fishing pole holder includes a first end having a receiving cavity configured to receive the stock of a fishing pole, and a second end having a plurality of teeth for insertion into the ground, so as to securely anchor the second end into the ground.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder can be inserted into the ground into a variety of types of dirt, soil and sand, can receive and maintain the handle of a fishing pole, and be removed from the ground and easily transported when not in use. The fishing pole holder includes a first end having a receiving cavity configured to receive the stock of a fishing pole, and a second end having a plurality of teeth for insertion into the ground, so as to securely anchor the second end into the ground.

Abstract: A method (and system) for non-destructive measurement of a depth of a feature in a structure, includes using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image to navigate to find the feature in an X-ray image, using an electron beam to produce a fluorescent emission in the feature, and using an X-ray count made at a position of the feature in the X-ray image, to determine a depth of the feature.

Abstract: A method (and system) for non-destructive measurement of a depth of a feature in a structure, includes using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image to navigate to find the feature in an X-ray image, using an electron beam to produce a fluorescent emission in the feature, and using an X-ray count made at a position of the feature in the X-ray image, to determine a depth of the feature.

Abstract: An extensible business method for performing research over the internet is presented. A first community web site is provided for a first targeted industry. User profile and feedback information is gathered from the users of the first community web site. The gathered user profile and feedback information from the first community web site is provided to at least one subscribing client of another web site. This method may be duplicated by repeating the above steps to a second targeted industry. In one example, a method for performing on-line consumer research over the internet is implemented comprising the following steps. User reaction of at least one user to at least one advertisement displayed on a first web site is gathered. Then research information is provided to a subscribing client on a second web site, based on the gathered user reaction on the first web site.