Abstract: A knee immobilizer (10) including an elongate frame (12) having opposed convex and concave major surfaces for being positioned along a longitudinal axis of a dorsal aspect of a leg from above to below the knee, and a plurality of outwardly-extending retainers (12A-12D, 12E-12G) cooperating with the frame (12) for retaining the frame (12) on the leg. A lining (16) is provided for being positioned between the frame (12) and the leg when in use to cushion and protect the leg against direct contact with the frame (12). A spine (18) is provided for being positioned on the frame (12) substantially along an elongate axis of the frame (12) from above to below the knee and formed in an angle for maintaining the frame (12) in a predetermined rigid medical treatment extension position on the leg.

Abstract: A method of repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes using an salvageable part, such as honeycomb backing strip remnant, from a nozzle segment that is unrepairable, and joining the honeycomb backing strip to a replacement casting. The replacement casting includes a tenon formed on the inner band that mates with a mortise formed on the back side of the honeycomb backing strip. A nozzle segment and nozzle segment casting used in connection with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve actuator for a valve that includes a cylindrical body that is thermally nonconductive and configured to engage a valve stem. A cylindrical adjuster is positioned coaxially with the body. A shaft extends through the adjuster and the adjuster is axially movable between a first position and a second position such that when the adjuster is in the first position a first engaging means engages a second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body. When the adjuster is in the second position the adjuster is radially movable relative to the body. A spring is aligned with the shaft and configured to bias the adjuster toward the first position such that the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.

Abstract: An adjustable absorbent article is provided according to exemplary aspects of this invention. The absorbent article includes a body portion configured to be positioned adjacent a wearer of the absorbent article. The absorbent article includes at least one belt having end portions, at least one of which end portions is configured to be engaged to the body portion. A first means is positioned on at least one of the end portions of the belt for releasable engagement of the end portion to the body portion, and a second means is positioned at a location spaced from the end portions of the belt for releasable engagement to the belt or the body portion to adjust the length of the belt.

Abstract: A debarking blade includes an elongate blade body having an attachment end, an opposed free end, and an arcuate concave inner edge surface extending between the opposing ends and adapted to face generally inwardly toward the rotational axis of the ring rotor. A detachable cutting tip having a cutting edge thereon is releasably mounted on the free end of the blade body for engaging and debarking a log. A detachable climbing edge insert is releasably mounted on the blade body between the attachment end and the free end. The climbing edge portion engages successive logs being fed into the debarker for deflecting the debarking blade out of the path of the logs.

Abstract: An end protector link for capturing and retaining first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain is provided. The end protector link includes an outer wall defining a protective bearing surface defining a pair of openings for allowing ingress and egress of respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins, and an inner wall carried in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a pair of retainer apertures generally aligned with respective ones of the pair of openings for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves and thereby protecting the enlarged heads of the link pins from exposure to said wearing surfaces.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials. The conveyor includes upper and lower housings having head and tail pulley assemblies mounted therein. The tensioning assembly includes first and second extendable tubes that define sections of inflow and outflow conveyor tubes that interconnect the upper and lower housings. An endless rope assembly is disposed within the conveyor tubes and around the head and tail pulleys. An adjustable actuator is positioned in cooperative engagement with the first and second extendable tubes. When the actuator is in a first position, the extendable tubes have a first length and when the actuator is in a second position, the extendable tubes have a second length. The actuator is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to changes in tension within the endless rope assembly as indicated by a signal from a tension measuring device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the forced waving of flags for advertising devices and similar and to the corresponding operation methods. The inventive system comprises a support (10) for supporting a flag or similar (2) with the aid of a flag-waving shaft (20) and for securing blowing means (11) which release forced air flows (S) that are applied to the flag or a similar element disposed on the waving shaft. The aforementioned blowing means (11) supply one or more laminar air flows (S) through the outlet(s) (110) thereof. The flag-waving shaft (20) is positioned perpendicularly to the direction of flow of the laminar air flow(s) on an external side of, and close to, the outlets of the blowing means, said zone containing flows with no turbulence.

Abstract: An airfoil is disclosed having a concave pressure side and a convex suction side defining a chord length, and a leading edge and a trailing edge. A leading edge protective strip is adhered by a bond layer to and protectively covers the leading edge and respective predetermined portions of the pressure side and suction side of the airfoil body from the leading edge downstream towards the trailing edge. The leading edge protective strip includes a multiplicity of inwardly-facing grooves in which the bond layer is embedded. The grooves define adjacent segments of a predetermined size sufficiently small that, if detached from the vane during engine operation, impact with downstream engine components will not cause damage to the downstream engine components.

Abstract: A tray table assembly for a reclinable seat that includes a tray table support arm including a support arm guide member and a slot for receiving a seat frame guide member therein for providing vertically translation of the assembly with seat movement, a support arm guiding member defining a guiding surface and an assembly stowing detent, a tray table pivotably attached to the tray table support arm, and a mechanical stop for limiting rotating of the tray table support arm.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachinery core operable to generating a first flow of pressurized combustion gases, the core having an exit plane; a fan disposed upstream of the core adapted to extract energy from the core and generate a first flow of pressurized air; a bypass duct surrounding the core which receives a portion of the flow of pressurized air from the fan; a duct burner disposed in the bypass duct, upstream of the exit plane, for receiving the first flow of pressurized air and generating a second flow of pressurized combustion gases; and an exhaust duct disposed downstream of the core and operable to receive and the first and second flows of pressurized combustion gases and to discharge the combined flows downstream.

Abstract: A method for forming a fire resistant material is disclosed. The method comprises providing a plurality of expandable beads of a polymeric material. The beads are coated with an exfoliable graphite. The exfoliable graphite is adhered to the beads with a resin having a solubility parameter of the polymeric material. The beads are thereafter caused or allowed to expand and fuse.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly and method for converting the seat assembly between a three-seat configuration and a two-seat configuration includes a seat assembly base and first, second, and third seats mounted on the seat assembly base. The first and third seats define outboard seats and the second seat defines an inboard seat disposed between the outboard seats. The seat back of the inboard seat includes an upper portion movably mounted to the lower portion. The seat bottom is removable and repositionable between the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration to form a convenience area between the outboard seats. A power console movably mounted on the seat assembly base supports the seat bottom of the inboard seat and provides at least one power outlet for supplying electrical power. In particular, the inboard seat is convertible between a seating configuration and a non-seating configuration.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pump includes a pump chamber and a pump head having complementary recesses formed therein which cooperate to define a valve compartment including a pocket and an opposed seat. A flexible valve element is disposed between the recesses and adapted to move between a closed position against the seat which prevents fluid flow and an open position away from the valve seat which permits fluid flow. The dimensions of the valve compartment are selected to limit the movement of the valve element in the open position, which increases the pump efficiency and prevents damage to the valve element and/or valve overlap.