Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked wheelchair system includes a wheelchair framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels adapted to rotate. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the wheelchair system. A brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A wireless control module is operably connected to a wireless communication network. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan the device-level machine-readable code displayed on the wheelchair system, (ii) complete a wheelchair rental transaction over the wireless communication network, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented wheelchair system, then the wireless wheel locking control module unlocks the brake assembly, and the wheelchair framework is allowed to move relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A wireless-networked stroller access control system includes a plurality of wireless-networked strollers, each having stroller framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels mounted on an axle. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the stroller system. A wheel brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A manually-actuated control bar assembly is mounted on the stroller framework, arranged with respect to the wheel brake assembly, and has a locked state of operation and an unlocked state of operation. A wireless wheel-axle locking control module is arranged in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, and configured with the manually-actuated control bar assembly to control the state of operation of the manually-actuated control bar assembly and also the wheel brake assembly.

Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked electric convenience vehicle (ECV) includes a body portion adapted for supporting the body of passenger; a GPS system for providing GPS-location services to the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV; a transport system with wheels and a drive mechanism, for supporting and transporting the body portion; and a wireless electronic control module being integrated with the transport system, and in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, for controlling said wheels and/or the drive mechanism. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan a device-level machine-readable code displayed on the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, (ii) complete an ECV rental transaction over the wireless communication infrastructure, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, then the wireless electronic control module enables the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV to be operated on a ground surface.

Abstract: A method of contact-less access control to a device available for rental, access and use in an environment, by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes displayed in the environment using web-enabled mobile phones wirelessly connected to a wireless access control network. To practice a facility-level, site-level access and/or device-level access control method, a web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan facility-level, site-level and/or device-level machine-readable codes in the environment, and in response, rental transaction identifiers are stored within the cache on the web-enabled mobile phone scanning the machine-readable code. Each rental transaction identifier identifies the web-enabled mobile phone that is linked to a specific device rental transaction. After renting the selected device at either a facility-level, site-level or device-level location in the environment, the web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan the device-level machine-readable code on the rented device.

Abstract: A single-sided ride storage locker system deployed at any site within a facility, and providing guest visitors with access control enabled by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes using mobile scanning computing systems, such as web-enabled smartphones with digital cameras and mobile application support. The storage locker system supports automated modes of discovering and finding where a guest's rented locker is located within the facility and its sites at any moment in time, simply by using the guest' smart phone to scan a device-level code, a site-level code, a facility-level code or a discovery-level code, posted anywhere within the facility or any site, without need for using a physical locker lookup kiosk or other conventional systems and methods.

Abstract: A trailer jack and transport system providing improved rolling and steerable motion to sport, recreational and utility trailers, when operating on diverse kinds of ground surfaces, including pavement, dirt, sand, and mud, without use of caster-style wheels. The trailer jack and transport system employs a spherical load-bearing transport ball supported within a frame assembly and configured to allow the spherical wheel to freely rotate in any orientation, on ground surfaces of a diverse nature during system operation.

Abstract: A wireless network, mobile systems and methods for controlling access to lockers, strollers, wheel chairs and electronic convenience vehicles and other networked devices provided with machine-readable codes that are scanned by mobile phones and computing devices.

Abstract: A wireless network, systems and methods, wherein each passenger-carrying rideable vehicle deployed in the system includes: a modular construction consisting of a lightweight body driven by an electric-battery driven motor, and specially adapted for receiving a customizable ornamental body having the appearance and personality of a particular or an inanimate object; motorized and/or animated elements disposed beneath the animal character skin covering for enabling animal behaviors and/or expressions that promote a fun and entertaining ride experience; an audio-transducers mounted within the animal character body for playing music from smartphone applications and animated animal character body portions to provide a sense of realism and excitement as the electric entertainment vehicle is ridden through an amusement facility.

Abstract: A multi-level machine-readable code system and method deployed in an environment supported by a wireless access control system network. The multi-level machine-readable code system including multi-level codes including facility-level codes, site-level codes and device-level codes, that are scanned by mobile computing devices such as mobile smart phones to initiated web-based e-commerce-enabled transactions that allow guest users to select and rent the particular networked devices available for rental and use within a facility, such as, for example, storage lockers, strollers, EVCs, wheelchairs and the like at a site selected within the environment. The wireless access and control system network can automatically assign an available device to the guest user at the selected site.

Abstract: A method of contact-less access control to a device available for rental, access and use in an environment, by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes displayed in the environment using web-enabled mobile phones wirelessly connected to a wireless access control network. To practice a facility-level, site-level access and/or device-level access control method, a web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan facility-level, site-level and/or device-level machine-readable codes in the environment, and in response, rental transaction identifiers are stored within the cache on the web-enabled mobile phone scanning the machine-readable code. Each rental transaction identifier identifies the web-enabled mobile phone that is linked to a specific device rental transaction. After renting the selected device at either a facility-level, site-level or device-level location in the environment, the web-enabled mobile phone is used to scan the device-level machine-readable code on the rented device.

Abstract: A double-sided ride storage locker system deployed at a park facility with ride sites, including a system integrated with a facility ride management system, for automated management and control over the operation of locker-rental state indication lights displayed as rented on the egress side of the double-sided ride storage locker system. The double-sided ride storage locker system provides guest visitors with access control enabled by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes using mobile scanning computing systems, such as web-enabled smartphones with digital cameras and mobile application support.

Abstract: A wireless network, mobile systems and methods for controlling access to lockers, strollers, wheel chairs and electronic convenience vehicles and other networked devices provided with machine-readable codes that are scanned by mobile phones and computing devices.

Abstract: A single-sided ride storage locker system deployed at any site within a facility, and providing guest visitors with access control enabled by scanning multi-level machine-readable codes using mobile scanning computing systems, such as web-enabled smartphones with digital cameras and mobile application support. The storage locker system supports automated modes of discovering and finding where a guest's rented locker is located within the facility and its sites at any moment in time, simply by using the guest' smart phone to scan a device-level code, a site-level code, a facility-level code or a discovery-level code, posted anywhere within the facility or any site, without need for using a physical locker lookup kiosk or other conventional systems and methods.

Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked wheelchair system includes a wheelchair framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels adapted to rotate. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the wheelchair system. A brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A wireless control module is operably connected to a wireless communication network. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan the device-level machine-readable code displayed on the wheelchair system, (ii) complete a wheelchair rental transaction over the wireless communication network, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented wheelchair system, then the wireless wheel locking control module unlocks the brake assembly, and the wheelchair framework is allowed to move relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A wireless-networked stroller access control system includes a plurality of wireless-networked strollers, each having stroller framework for carrying a passenger, and having a set of wheels mounted on an axle. A device-level machine-readable code is displayed on a surface associated with the stroller system. A wheel brake assembly is arranged with the set of wheels and has a locked position, and an unlocked position. A manually-actuated control bar assembly is mounted on the stroller framework, arranged with respect to the wheel brake assembly, and has a locked state of operation and an unlocked state of operation. A wireless wheel-axle locking control module is arranged in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, and configured with the manually-actuated control bar assembly to control the state of operation of the manually-actuated control bar assembly and also the wheel brake assembly.

Abstract: A GPS-tracked wireless-networked electric convenience vehicle (ECV) includes a body portion adapted for supporting the body of passenger; a GPS system for providing GPS-location services to the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV; a transport system with wheels and a drive mechanism, for supporting and transporting the body portion; and a wireless electronic control module being integrated with the transport system, and in wireless communication with a wireless communication infrastructure, for controlling said wheels and/or the drive mechanism. When a web-enabled mobile phone is used to (i) scan a device-level machine-readable code displayed on the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, (ii) complete an ECV rental transaction over the wireless communication infrastructure, and (iii) obtain access control over the rented GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV, then the wireless electronic control module enables the GPS-tracked wireless-networked ECV to be operated on a ground surface.

Abstract: In a gas turbine, a bore tube assembly radially inwardly of an aft bearing conveys cooling steam to the buckets of the turbine and returns the cooling steam to a return. To cool the bearing and thermally insulate the bearing from the cooling steam paths, a radiation shield is spaced from the bore tube assembly by a dead air gap. Additionally, an air passageway is provided between the radiation shield and the inner surface of an aft shaft forming part of the rotor. Air is supplied from an inlet for flow along the passage and radially outwardly through bores in the aft shaft disk to cool the bearing and insulate it from transfer of heat from the cooling steam.

Abstract: During a standard fired shutdown of a turbine, a loaded rabbet joint between the fourth stage wheel and the aft shaft of the machine can become unloaded causing a gap to occur due to a thermal mismatch at the rabbet joint with the bearing blower turned on. An open or unloaded rabbet could cause the parts to move relative to each other and therefore cause the rotor to lose balance. If the bearing blower is turned off during a shutdown, the forward air/oil seal temperature may exceed maximum design practice criterion due to “soak-back.” An air/oil seal temperature above the established maximum design limits could cause a bearing fire to occur, with catastrophic consequences to the machine. By controlling the bearing blower according to an optimized blower profile, the rabbet load can be maintained, and the air/oil seal temperature can be maintained below the established limits. A blower profile is determined according to a thermodynamic model of the system.

Abstract: In a turbine rotor, an aft shaft wheel and the final-stage wheel of the rotor are coupled together, including by a rabbeted joint. During shutdown and startup of the turbine, a thermal mismatch between the aft shaft wheel and final-stage wheel is avoided by respectively heating and cooling the aft shaft wheel to maintain the thermal mismatch within acceptable limits, thereby avoiding opening of the rabbeted joint and the potential for unbalancing the rotor and rotor vibration. The thermal medium may be supplied by piping in the aft bearing cavity into the cavity between the forward closure plate and the aft shaft wheel.

Abstract: In a turbine rotor, a thermal mismatch between various component parts of the rotor occurs particularly during transient operations such as shutdown and startup. A thermal medium flows past and heats or cools one part of the turbine which may have a deleterious thermal mismatch with another part. By passively controlling the flow of cooling medium past the one part in response to relative movement of thermally responsive parts of the turbine, the flow of thermal medium along the flow path can be regulated to increase or reduce the flow, thereby to regulate the temperature of the one part to maintain the thermal mismatch within predetermined limits.