Abstract: There is provided a blower system for providing air to an airframe system, comprising a rotor configured to be mechanically coupled to a spool 440 of a gas turbine engine, wherein the rotor is configured to: in a blower mode, be driven to rotate by the spool to discharge air to an airframe discharge port for supply to an airframe system; and, in an engine drive mode, receive air from an external air source via an impingement port that is configured to direct the received air onto the rotor and thereby drive the rotor to rotate to drive the spool to.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises, in fluid flow series, a gas-generator compressor, a combustor, a gas-generator turbine, and a free power turbine. The gas-generator compressor is an axi-centrifugal compressor comprising a plurality of axial compression stages followed by a single centrifugal compression stage, wherein the International Standard Atmosphere, sea-level static (hereinafter ISA SLS) design point pressure ratio of the axi-centrifugal compressor is from 12 to 16, and a ratio of the ISA SLS pressure rise across the axial compression stages to the ISA SLS pressure rise across the centrifugal compression stage is from 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises, in fluid flow series, a gas-generator compressor, a combustor, a gas-generator turbine, and a free power turbine. The gas-generator compressor is an axi-centrifugal compressor comprising a plurality of axial compression stages followed by a single centrifugal compression stage, wherein the International Standard Atmosphere, sea-level static (hereinafter ISA SLS) design point pressure ratio of the axi-centrifugal compressor is from 12 to 16, and a ratio of the ISA SLS pressure rise across the axial compression stages to the ISA SLS pressure rise across the centrifugal compression stage is from 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises, in fluid flow series, a gas-generator compressor, a combustor, a gas-generator turbine, and a free power turbine. The gas-generator compressor is an axi-centrifugal compressor comprising a plurality of axial compression stages followed by a single centrifugal compression stage, wherein the International Standard Atmosphere, sea-level static (hereinafter ISA SLS) design point pressure ratio of the axi-centrifugal compressor is from 12 to 16, and a ratio of the ISA SLS pressure rise across the axial compression stages to the ISA SLS pressure rise across the centrifugal compression stage is from 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: A turboshaft gas turbine engine comprises, in fluid flow series, a gas-generator compressor, a combustor, a gas-generator turbine, and a free power turbine. The gas-generator turbine is a single stage turbine having a specific work of from 200 to 350 kilojoules per kilogram, said specific work being the power output of the turbine per unit mass flow therethrough.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises, in fluid flow series, a gas-generator compressor, a combustor, a gas-generator turbine, and a free power turbine. The gas-generator compressor is an axi-centrifugal compressor comprising a plurality of axial compression stages followed by a single centrifugal compression stage, wherein the International Standard Atmosphere, sea-level static (hereinafter ISA SLS) design point pressure ratio of the axi-centrifugal compressor is from 12 to 16, and a ratio of the ISA SLS pressure rise across the axial compression stages to the ISA SLS pressure rise across the centrifugal compression stage is from 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (10) for an aircraft (1) comprises a gas turbine engine comprising an engine core (12). The engine core comprises a core compressor (14) and core turbine (18) coupled by a core shaft (24). The auxiliary power unit further comprises a load spool comprising a load compressor (30), a load turbine (20) and a permanent magnet electric machine (28), each being coupled by a load shaft (26). The load shaft (26) and core shaft (24) are configured to rotate independently of one another.

Abstract: Narrowband quadrupole resonance (QR) probes were developed from thin-film high-temperature superconducting (HTS) resonators. The QR probes are useful in analyte-detection systems, in particular for the detection of nitrogen-containing compounds. Embodiments of the invention provide greater than an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and the ability to reject RF interference sources located outside the pass-band of a superconducting QR probe. Methods and apparatus are described for analyte detection and resonance frequency adjustment.

Abstract: Narrowband quadrupole resonance (QR) probes were developed from thin-film high-temperature superconducting (HTS) resonators. The QR probes are useful in analyte-detection systems, in particular for the detection of nitrogen-containing compounds. Embodiments of the invention provide greater than an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and the ability to reject RF interference sources located outside the pass-band of a superconducting QR probe. Methods and apparatus are described for analyte detection and resonance frequency adjustment.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a bezel member. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid and has a varying radius of curvature. The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image. The bezel is positioned over the intersection of the housing and mirror lens.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a connecting gasket member. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid. The lens has a varying radius of curvature, The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing and dome-type mirror lens. The lens has a first base footprint portion with a constant radius of curvature and a diameter, and a second base footprint portion comprised of an elliptical portion with a base major axis and a base minor axis. The mirror lens includes a first surface portion having a first surface radius and conforming to the first base footprint portion. The lens additionally includes a second surface portion conforming to the second base footprint portion. The second surface portion is comprised of a second surface major radius of curvature corresponding to a major surface axis and a second surface minor radius of curvature corresponding to a minor surface axis.

Abstract: A mirror assembly is provided having a base member and a dome lens member. The dome lens member has a varying dome lens radius of curvature with a center surface portion having a center surface radius of curvature and a peripheral surface portion having a peripheral surface radius of curvature greater than the center surface radius of curvature.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly 10 is provided. The vehicle mirror assembly 10 includes a triangular mounting plate 24 adapted to mate with the base of a vehicle a-pillar 26. The triangular mounting plate 24 includes an inner surface 56 and an outer surface 58. At least one attachment element 60 is mounted on the inner surface 56. The vehicle mirror assembly 10 further includes an elongated support member 28 having a vehicle end 34 and a mirror end 36. The vehicle end 34 is rotatably attached to the outer surface 58. A mirror housing 30 is attached to the mirror end 36.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment of the mirror assembly to a vehicle. The bracket is in communication with a mounting arm at a first end thereof. The mounting arm has a second end that is in communication with a mirror. The mirror assembly includes at least one release mechanism that allows the mounting arm to pivot with respect to the bracket when the mounting arm is subject to a force of at least a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An explosion resistant waste container includes an outer open-topped container and an inner open-topped container with a space therebetween. The outer and inner container are made from portions of compression cylinder members. The space between the two containers is filled with sand.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a gasket. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid. The lens has a varying radius of curvature. The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided comprising a base. The base comprises a first base portion defined by a first base longitudinal line and a first base periphery. The first base portion has a first base radius of curvature. The base further includes a second base portion defined by the first base longitudinal line and a second base periphery. The second base portion has a second base radius of curvature. A dome lens conforms to the base. The dome lens has a varying dome lens radius of curvature. The dome lens comprises a center surface portion having a center surface radius of curvature. The center surface radius corresponding to a position on said dome lens aligned with a first base longitudinal midpoint to said dome lens and is perpendicular to the first base longitudinal line. A peripheral surface portion has a peripheral surface radius of curvature corresponding to the first base periphery. The peripheral surface radius of curvature is greater than the center surface radius of curvature.

Abstract: A mirror mount assembly includes multiple reflective surfaces disposed within a mirror housing for use on a vehicle. The reflective surfaces of each reflective surface are designed and configured for mounting at a pre-selected site. When so mounted, each reflective surface provides an expanded field-of-view of objects disposed in a specific zone proximate to the mirror mount assembly. When positioned at the extreme front end of the hood of a Type-C school bus, one of the reflective surfaces provides an expanded field-of-view below and alongside the driver and a reflective surface provides an expanded field-of-view below and in front of the school bus. On a Type-D school bus, the mirror mount assembly is disposed above the driver and suspended from the roof of the bus—the housing inkling the two reflective surfaces and a rear-view mirror. The reflective surfaces are designed to provide the driver with the best images in the target zones while minimizing the blindspot behind the mirror mount assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket for attachment of the mirror assembly to a vehicle. The bracket is in communication with a mounting arm at a first end thereof. The mounting arm has a second end that is in communication with a mirror. The mirror assembly includes at least one release mechanism that allows the mounting arm to pivot with respect to the bracket when the mounting arm is subject to a force of at least a predetermined threshold.