Abstract: A composite filter media structure includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of fibers with a spunbond process. The base substrate has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure A nanofiber layer is deposited on one side of the base substrate. The composite filter media structure has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.

Abstract: A power converter for a wind turbine including an array of switching devices and a control module having a current damping device. The control module is configured to control a switching behavior of the array of switching devices and to receive a current having a first frequency component from the wind turbine. The current damping device is configured to reduce an amplitude of the first frequency component.

Abstract: Methods and machines for changing tires on a wheel rim are disclosed. The machine includes a drive shaft having a drive axis that can positioned at different angles for convenience of the machine operator to mount a variety of differently-sized wheel rims to the drive shaft without undue lifting and handling of the wheel rims.

Abstract: A transient voltage suppression device includes a dielectric layer defining a receptacle for a variable impedance material proximate a gapped electrode. Methods for manufacturing the device and for formulating a variable voltage material at lower cost and with higher manufacturing yields is also provided.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator or bonded wafer includes an upper portion having a trapezoid shape in cross-section and a lower portion having an outer peripheral edge having a curved shape.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material article includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a pre-impregnated preform formed from a plurality of reinforcing fibers and a polymer matrix, positioning the preform on a flat base plate, positioning a pressure bladder on top of the preform, and positioning a bridge tool above the pressure bladder. The bridge tool includes a top plate and at least one support member. The support members are coupled to the base plate with the top plate spaced above the pressure bladder. The method also includes enclosing the preform and bridge tool inside a vacuum bag by sealingly attaching the vacuum bag to the base plate, drawing a vacuum in the vacuum bag to remove air and volatiles from the preform, and then applying pressure to the preform by inflating the pressure bladder to consolidate the preform.

Abstract: A lift generating apparatus for a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall coupled together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. The lift generating apparatus includes at least one forward blade extension coupled to the rotor blade to define a first airflow channel between the forward blade extension and the rotor blade. The lift generating apparatus also includes at least one aft blade extension coupled to the rotor blade to define a second airflow channel between the aft blade extension and the rotor blade.

Abstract: A combustion system for combusting air and fuel includes a primary combustion zone configured to produce combustion gases from the air and the fuel and an intermediate air zone downstream from the primary combustion zone. The intermediate air zone is configured to inject an intermediate air stream into the combustion gases. The combustion system further includes a burnout zone downstream from the intermediate air zone, wherein the burnout zone is configured to inject an overfire air stream into the combustion gases, and at least one hybrid-boosted air injector within at least one of the intermediate air zone and the burnout zone. The at least one hybrid-boosted air injector is configured to substantially simultaneously inject a boosted air stream and a windbox air stream into the combustion gases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting a current position of a vehicle on a moving map display are provided. The method includes determining a current position and a path of travel of the vehicle, determining a current position of at least one of a second vehicle, an object, and an area of interest wherein determining a current position of the second vehicle includes determining a path of travel of the second vehicle, and displaying a depiction of the vehicle and at least a portion of the at least one of the second vehicle, the object, and the area of interest at a first range setting. The method further includes automatically changing from the first range setting to a second range setting based on at least one of an approach autorange activation, an offscale traffic activation, and an offscale object or area of interest autorange activation, and displaying the ownship depiction and at least a portion of the at least one of the second vehicle, the object, and the area of interest at the second range setting.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pitch assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a rotor and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor. The method includes coupling a pitch drive system to at least one of the plurality of rotor blades for rotating the rotor blade about a pitch axis. At least one sensor is coupled in signal communication with the pitch drive system. The pitch drive system rotates the rotor blade when the sensor senses rotor overspeed.

Abstract: A method for optimizing energy production in a wind turbine includes pitching a plurality of rotor blades to a full operational angle, and utilizing an active flow control device in accordance with a generator speed and a rotor blade pitch setting to facilitate maintaining a predetermined generator rated power level.

Abstract: Foaming formulations including silicone polyesters are disclosed. These foaming formulations are useful as cleansing formulations such as used in hand sanitizers. The foaming formulations provide improved aesthetic properties and foaming appearance, while maintaining high antimicrobial capacity.

Abstract: A personal air conditioning device cools and moistens environmentally hot and dry blower-forced air using water vaporization occurring on external surface of a hollow fiber micro-porous membrane while water or other liquid coolant is taken from a container by means of internal capillaries of hollow fiber tubes. The device is able to deliver the pre-cooled air flow over any desired body fragment, particularly under a protective vest.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring, measuring and recording the operating values of each of a plurality of inter-connected AC PV modules and performing a diagnostic analysis, including comparing the those operating values to each other and to operating values recorded at an earlier time to determine laminate degradation and the performance-attenuating effect of temperature, soiling, shading, and snow cover on the modules.

Abstract: A method and system for fleet operations data management is provided. The system includes a data collection and distribution network configured to distribute operations data to vehicles in a fleet of vehicles and collect vehicle performance data from the vehicles in the fleet of vehicles, the distributed operations data including at least one of travel plans, navigational databases, vehicle operator business data, and passenger information, the collected aircraft performance data including at least one of vehicle body integrity parameters, FADEC performance, CNS/ATM interoperability, and air computing infrastructure characteristics.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling a turbine clearance in an aircraft engine are provided. A method includes activating a turbine clearance control based on a flight phase of an aircraft using the aircraft engine, and adjusting the turbine clearance based on a preselected turbine clearance value.

Abstract: A thrust bearing support assembly includes a first substantially trapezoidally-shaped side, and a second substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first side. The thrust bearing support assembly also includes a third substantially trapezoidally-shaped side coupled to the second side, and a fourth substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first and third sides.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes securing the blade into a clamping fixture, obtaining a zero reference from a gauging surface on the clamping fixture, coupling the clamping fixture to a grinding machine, and grinding the blade based on the zero reference.

Abstract: A method for determining sensor locations in a gas turbine engine is provided. The said method includes providing a turbine rear frame including a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced struts extending between the inner and outer surfaces, wherein a strut sector is defined between each pair of circumferentially-adjacent struts, providing a plurality of fuel nozzles that are each aligned with a strut sector, selecting one of the plurality of fuel nozzles as a primary index nozzle and positioning each of a plurality of sensors relative to one of the plurality of nozzles using a corresponding positioning angle such that each of the plurality of sensors coincides with a gas flow temperature distribution profile between each pair of circumferentially-spaced nozzles.

Abstract: A method for indicating a performance of a wind turbine is provided. Target performance data are created based at least in part on performance data for one or more wind turbines of interest. Baseline performance data are calculated based at least in part on performance data for a plurality of other wind turbines. The target performance data are compared to the baseline performance data to create a relative performance profile. In addition, a graphical representation of the relative performance profile may be created, and an available upgrade for the wind turbines of interest may be evaluated based at least in part on performance data for one or more wind turbines including the available upgrade.