Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end resting on a second structure. The dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface and a bottom surface connected by spaced-apart curved front and rear surfaces. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration.

Abstract: An airfoil is disclosed having at least first and second cast, axially-stacked internal airflow cooling circuits. Each circuit defines multiple air flow passages positioned laterally between a pressure sidewall side and a suction sidewall side of respective ones of the circuits. Each of the circuits is formed by a separate casting core. Methods of forming a axially-stacked core and an airfoil are also disclosed.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a generally radially-extending first cooling channel disposed between pressure and suction sidewalls adjacent the leading edge of the airfoil, and a generally radially-extending second cooling channel disposed aft of the first cooling channel. The second cooling channel is closed off at an outer end thereof and is disposed in fluid communication with a forward inlet an inner end thereof. The first and second cooling channels are separated by a partition having a plurality of impingement holes therein. A generally axially extending end channel is disposed radially outward from the second cooling channel in fluid communication with the first cooling channel and with a dust hole disposed in the tip cap. The dust hole is sized to permit the exit of debris entrained in a flow of cooling air from the airfoil.

Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing based on an algorithm for representing harmonics in a fractal lattice. The apparatus includes a plurality of tuned segments, each tuned segment including a transceiver having an intrinsic resonant frequency the amplitude of the resonant frequency capable of being modified by either receiving an external input signal, or by internally generating a response to an applied feedback signal. A plurality of signal processing elements are arranged in an array pattern, the signal processing elements including at least one function selected from the group including buffers for storing information, a feedback device for generating a feedback signal, a controller for controlling an output signal, a connection circuit for connecting the plurality of tuned segments to signal processing elements, and a feedback connection circuit for conveying signals from the plurality of signal processing elements in the array to the tuned segments.

Abstract: The invention describes devices consisting of a combination of oblique to feed direction aligned belt sanding assemblies, with drives or devices for low sanding belt speeds and/or with conventional, or modified for sanding belt oblique operation, electronic segmented sanding pad. The oblique alignment of the sanding unit can be adjusted steplessly. Its application for both oblique sanding and, when so aligned, sanding directly in the direction of feed meets the requirements of intermediate sanding between paint or varnish coats, as well as those of wood sanding.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil may be a rotating blade having a single platform, or a stationary nozzle having a pair of platforms. The airfoil body has pressure and suction sidewalls extending between leading and trailing edges. A compound fillet is disposed between the airfoil body and at least one of the platforms. The compound fillet includes a concave first fillet having a first radius, and a concave second fillet having a second, greater radius. The second fillet extends from the leading edge downstream along the suction sidewall and terminates at a point upstream of the trailing edge. The second fillet may also extend downstream from the leading edge along the pressure sidewall.

Abstract: A method of transporting rails to, and leaving the rails at, a target location. The method includes using a train having multiple rail wagons. The steps include supporting the rails on at least two successive wagons with the rail being movable relative to at least one wagon in the direction of elongate extent of the rail, and using winches on the wagons to unload the rails at the target location.

Abstract: A passenger accommodation unit with a deployable bed includes a passenger seat and a passenger bed positioned relative to the seat and adapted for movement between a stowed position in which the bed is upright and adjacent to the seat, and a deployed position in which the bed is horizontal for use and overlaps and is supported in part by the seat. The unit can include a credenza positioned adjacent the seat and between the seat and the bed that supports the bed when deployed.

Abstract: A crank apparatus includes a driven member rotatably mounted to a machine, and a crank arm attached at an inner end thereof to the driven member at a rotational axis of the driven member such that the driven member and crank arm rotate together. An axle is slidably mounted to the crank arm such that the axle is maintained substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the driven member as it slides from an inner point on the crank arm, to an outer point on the crank arm, and a bias element is arranged to exert a force on the axle toward the rotational axis of the driven member.

Abstract: The invention relates to vibration-damping engineering plastics which can be used in a wide variety of fields such as electronic equipments, electronic materials, household appliances, automobile/other transport instruments, industrial machine parts, precision instruments, building materials, sporting/leisure goods, and articles for daily use, and which includes thermoplastic engineering plastics as a base polymer and an organic vibration-damping agent incorporated into the base polymer, the organic vibration damping agent has one or more members selected from a compound having a benzothiazyl group, a compound having a benzotriazole group, a compound having a diphenyl acrylate group and a compound having a benzophenone group.

Abstract: A seat bottom assembly for a passenger seat, includes a flexible component; and a structural support member underlying the flexible component. The support member is selectively moveable between a first, forward position in which the seat bottom has a nominal length in a longitudinal direction, and a second, rearward position in which a portion of the flexible component bends downward over the structural component such that at least a portion of the seat bottom assembly has an effective length less than the nominal length. The left and right sides of the seat bottom assembly may be independently varied in length.

Abstract: A gas turbine section of a gas turbine engine, including a first stage turbine disk, a forward outer seal carried on the turbine disk and a forward shaft cooperating with the first stage turbine disk for transmitting torque generated by the turbine section to a compressor section of the engine. The forward shaft intersects the first stage turbine disk at a non-perpendicular angle in the area of the disk hub for directing sufficient hot air against the disk hub to balance the thermal response rate of the disk hub to the thermal expansion rate of the forward outer seal.