Abstract: An air cycle machine (ACM) pack system for an aircraft with an improved low inlet pressure cooling performance is provided. The ACM pack system has an air cycle machine (ACM) with at least one compressor mechanically coupled to at least one turbine in series on an ACM shaft. The ACM pack system further has a pack heat exchanger coupled to and in fluid communication with the at least one compressor of the ACM. The ACM system further has a bypass air flow assembly coupled in a parallel operation path to the ACM and has a bypass air flow regulating element. The bypass air flow assembly transfers energy extracted by the bypass air flow assembly to the ACM to aid the ACM pack system in cooling performance at a low inlet pressure, resulting in an improved low inlet pressure cooling performance of the ACM pack system.

Abstract: A novel and improved system for cooling and reducing combustion noise in a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The system includes a flow sleeve for a gas turbine combustor comprising a tubular portion and a conical portion, with a plurality of flow straighteners extending radially inward and between the tubular and conical portions and a plurality of rows of cooling holes extending about the flow sleeve, and an aft ring secured to the outlet end of the conical portion, where the aft ring includes an overlapping piston ring that is able to expand or contract in diameter. A combustion liner extends through the flow sleeve and engages an inlet of a transition duct while the piston ring of the flow sleeve also engages the transition duct to form a seal.

Abstract: A vehicle driver is provided with a display interface a smartphone, tablet, PC, or any telematics or in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle. The display interface presents a real-time target for the driver to follow to maximize fuel economy and safety, achieved by modulating the accelerator pedal appropriately.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustion liner having a novel and improved system for receiving a peripheral device through a floating collar is disclosed. The retaining collar assembly provides planar movement for receiving the peripheral device while preventing the floating collar from rotational movement through an anti-rotation tab on the collar and a collar cap, resulting in reduced wear to the peripheral device. The collar cap can include different configurations for reducing any vibratory effects caused by an oncoming airflow directly contacting the floating collar.

Abstract: An HVAC control system that accommodates and/or facilitates control from a remote location. The HVAC control system may include a web-enabled building control appliance having a controller, a first port and a second port. The controller may implement a web server that is coupled to the first port for serving up one or more web pages on a first network and for receiving a number of responses. The controller may also be coupled to the second port so as to communicate with one or more communicating thermostats via a second network. The web server may be adapted to provide an overview or summary web-page via the first port that displays information regarding the one or more thermostats, where the information that is displayed may be customized for a particular user.

Abstract: An HVAC control system that accommodates and/or facilitates control from a remote location. The HVAC control system may include a web-enabled building control appliance with a controller, a first port and a second port. The controller may implement a web server that is coupled to the first port for serving up one or more web pages on a first network and for receiving a number of responses. The controller may be coupled to the second port so as to communicate with one or more communicating thermostats via a second network. The web server may provide one or more web-pages via the first port that solicit and receive user rights privileges.

Abstract: An HVAC control system that accommodates and/or facilitates control from a remote location. The HVAC control system may include a web-enabled building control appliance having a controller, a first port and a second port. The controller may implement a web server that is coupled to the first port for serving up one or more web pages on a first network and for receiving a number of responses. The controller may also be coupled to the second port so as to communicate with one or more communicating thermostats via a second network. The web server may be adapted to provide an overview or summary web-page via the first port that displays information regarding the one or more thermostats, where the information that is displayed may be customized for a particular user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is installed at the operative site primarily by providing at least one graft location with instrumentation inserted through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. Assistance in installing the new tubing may be provided by minimally invasive surgical access openings in the patient's chest. The tubing may be delivered through the patient's existing tubular body structure or, alternatively, through the surgical access openings.

Abstract: Embodiments for an apparatus and associated method for reducing the residence time in a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. The embodiments of the present invention comprise a fuel nozzle that extends to a downstream plane of an end cap for a combustion liner where the axial distance of the premixer is reduced, however the swirl for mixing the fuel and air, is increased. As a result, the mixing of the fuel and air is essentially unchanged, thereby allowing higher air pressures and operating temperatures within the premixer without inducing auto-ignition.

Abstract: An HVAC control system that accommodates and/or facilitates control from a remote location. The HVAC control system may include a web-enabled building control appliance with a controller, a first port and a second port. The controller may implement a web server that is coupled to the first port for serving up one or more web pages on a first network and for receiving a number of responses. The controller may be coupled to the second port so as to communicate with one or more communicating thermostats via a second network. The web server may provide one or more web-pages via the first port that solicit and receive information pertaining to one or more remote sensors that are to be connected to one of the one or more thermostats. The web server may provide a wiring diagram for the one or more remote sensors that is dependent on the received information pertaining to one or more remote sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing information relating to professional growth are provided. A client provides client data regarding professional growth. The current level of professional growth of the client is determined, and the next level of professional growth is identified. The client is provided with information regarding the next level, based on the identification of the next level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing professional development are provided. A client provides information indicating a current status, which may concern a professional task performed by the client and a portion of income associated with the task. The progress of the client toward a professional goal is calculated, and a recommendation concerning an appropriate next step is communicated to the client. Professional goals may include a level of income, efficiency, type of tasks performed, etc.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention is a project management method, system and software product for aiding a user in attaining goals. The system has a goal field for describing a goal, a plurality of obstacle fields for describing a plurality of obstacles to be overcome in attaining the goal, and a plurality of strategy fields for describing a plurality of strategies for overcoming the plurality of obstacles to achieve a result correlated with the goal. Each obstacle field in the plurality of obstacle fields is linked to the goal field, has a unique associated strategy field in the plurality of strategy fields, and is linked with the unique associated strategy field.

Abstract: An ignition assembly for providing increased movement of an igniter within a combustor is provided. The ignition assembly includes a base assembly having a first base plate, a second base plate, and a positioning plate, where the positioning plate contains an igniter and is capable of adjusting in an axial and/or circumferential direction relative to the combustor.

Abstract: The present invention is a project management method, system and software product for aiding a user in attaining goals. The system has a goal field for describing a goal, a plurality of obstacle fields for describing a plurality of obstacles to be overcome in attaining the goal, and a plurality of strategy fields for describing a plurality of strategies for overcoming the plurality of obstacles to achieve a result correlated with the goal. Each obstacle field in the plurality of obstacle fields is linked to the goal field, has a unique associated strategy field in the plurality of strategy fields, and is linked with the unique associated strategy field.

Abstract: A surge suppression device includes a bus bar that extends along a length of the surge suppression device. Multiple surge suppression modules each have an attachment device that attaches and detaches to the bus bar without disrupting connections of other surge suppression modules coupled to the same bus bar.

Abstract: An HVAC control system that accommodates and/or facilitates control from a remote location. The HVAC control system may include a web-enabled building control appliance having a controller, a first port and a second port. The controller may implement a web server that is coupled to the first port for serving up one or more web pages on a first network and for receiving a number of responses. The controller may be coupled to the second port so as to communicate with one or more communicating thermostats via a second network. The web server may provide one or more web-pages via the first port that display a graphical floor plan of the building, and permit a user to drag and drop individual building control device images that correspond to the one or more building control devices onto the floor plan.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.

Abstract: Embodiments for an apparatus and associated method for reducing the residence time in a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. The embodiments of the present invention comprise a fuel nozzle that extends to a downstream plane of an end cap for a combustion liner where the axial distance of the premixer is reduced, however the swirl for mixing the fuel and air, is increased. As a result, the mixing of the fuel and air is essentially unchanged, thereby allowing higher air pressures and operating temperatures within the premixer without inducing auto-ignition.