Abstract: An electronic control configuration includes at least one secondary microprocessor operable to control a device. The at least one secondary microprocessor assumes protection control of the device responsive to a first type of failure by transmitting a protection control signal to a first effector. The at least one secondary microprocessor assumes backup control of the device responsive to a second type of failure by transmitting a backup control signal to a second effector. The backup control functionality of the at least one secondary microprocessor can be selectively disabled.

Abstract: A smoke detector comprises a soft x-ray source (10) and an air space (16) communicating with ambient air (18) and positioned so that soft x-rays produced by the soft x-ray source (10) pass into the air space (16) to ionise air in the air space (16). A detector (14) is positioned for detecting ionised air in the air space (16). Smoke particles entering into the air space (16) mop up ionised air. This leads to a reduction in the number of ions detected which triggers an alarm. The soft x-ray source (10) preferably comprises a substrate (22) on which are provided a plurality of nanometer scale elongate structures (28). The elongate structures (28) are provided in an evacuated chamber (42) formed between the substrate (22), a spacer (30), and a laminated film (36). The laminated film (36) comprises an aluminum foil layer (38) and a supporting nylon layer (40). A voltage converting circuit (44) is powered by a 9 volt DC battery and applies a 1.

Abstract: A parallel flow heat exchanger is disclosed having heat transfer tubes with a plurality of relatively small channels, which are aligned in a parallel manner, and wherein the heat transfer tubes are in fluid communication with at least one manifold structure, are received in manifold wall openings and are attached to the manifold structure by brazing process The manifold walls and/or the tubes are modified to minimize the likelihood of brazing material plugging or at least partially blocking any of the plurality of channels In one feature, the openings in the manifold structure are formed by deforming the material of the manifold structure outwardly In another feature, the edges of the heat transfer tubes may be formed such that the outermost end channels within each heat transfer tube extend farther inwardly than do the central channels Various design configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension includes a trailing arm body having an axle mount portion that is attached to an axle wrap. The axle wrap includes at least one internal weld window to secure the axle wrap to an axle. In one example, the internal weld window is positioned within an internal cavity defined by the trailing arm body and axle wrap includes an external weld window located external of the trailing arm body. In one example, the trailing arm suspension includes a reinforcement bracket that is attached to both the trailing arm body and the axle wrap. In one example, a spring pedestal includes a support plate at one end of trailing arm body and a side wall portion that extends downwardly from the support plate to be attached to the axle wrap. In one example, the axle wrap includes a weld window having a V-shaped lower edge surface.

Abstract: A method for separating an oil-substance mixture includes communicating the oil-substance mixture into a first separator tank to separate the oil from the substance, and communicating a remaining portion of the oil-substance mixture into a second separator tank to separate the oil from the substance of the remaining portion.

Abstract: An assembly (20) for controlling movement of an automatically moveable door panel (22) includes sensors (30, 50) such as microswitches positioned on at least one of a door panel (22) or a door frame member (26). The sensors provide an indication of different levels of relative movement between the door panel and the door frame member at an interface (28) between them. Such relative movement includes an increase in a gap between them that corresponds to a situation when an object is at the interface (28) and may be caught. The sensors (30, 50) respectively provide an indication of when an object may become caught and when one has. Automated movement of a door is controlled responsive to an indication of the presence of an object in a location where the object may become caught during automatic movement of the door.

Abstract: An inner shroud assembly includes an aft core segment mountable to a forward core segment to support a multiple of vanes for rotational movement relative thereto. A shroud backing plate segment engageable with the aft core segment and at least one fastener which passes through the shroud backing plate, the aft core segment and the forward core segment.

Abstract: A homemade explosives (HME) detection system provides a coded-source, x-ray computed laminography imaging system which detects material composition by the ratio of the transmitted characteristic X-rays within a coded x-ray beam. Motion-free 3-Dimensional geometrical details are obtained through computed laminography imaging techniques.

Abstract: A differential gear casing of flower pot construction has an outer surface which is configured for receiving a crown wheel, whereby the crown wheel can be pressed onto the outer surface by different amounts for different applications. The outer surface is free from projections such that the crown wheel can be mounted on the outer surface from any axial direction. The outer surface defines a band on the differential gear casing and is parallel with a central axis of the differential gear casing. The crown wheel is secured to the differential gear casing using an axial weld line. In other embodiments, the crown wheel and/or a cover for the differential gear casing are secured in place using axial and/or radial weld lines.

Abstract: A scroll compressor comprises a first scroll member having a generally spiral wrap and a second scroll member having a generally spiral wrap. The generally spiral wraps interfit to define compression chambers. A pair of ports leads from the compression chambers. A pair of valves selectively blocks flow of refrigerant from the ports leaving the compression chambers. The valves selectively control the flow such that flow may pass from neither of the two ports, from both of the two ports, or from only one of the two ports to provide three levels of capacity control.

Abstract: A composite transmission housing includes resin transfer molding or vacuum assisted resin transfer molding manufacturing processes combined with discontinuous fiber preforms. The preforms are assembled in a prepared injection and cure mold with additional details and fillers. The preforms are constructed such that the preforms are assembled into the mold in a specific order to assure proper arrangement. Using a combination of vacuum and pressure, a resin is injected into the mold to completely infuse the assembled preforms. At completion, the mold is heated to the resin cure temperature and held at this temperature for sufficient time to insure complete cure.

Abstract: A sealed compressor has an electric motor and a compressor pump unit to be driven by the electric motor. Power is supplied to the electric motor by a terminal plug received within a housing, which communicates electricity through an electric connection and into a shell housing the compressor. A cable is connected to the terminal plug at a location at least partially outwardly of the housing. The cable includes a ground wire and ground connector, which is connected to a ground pin associated with one of the housing and the shell. The cable has a head connected to connections associated with the housing. A shield extends over a ground connection between the cable and the ground pin. A cable and cable head as mentioned above are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A mounting system for a gas turbine engine includes a mounting linkage assembly and a tangential link positioned generally transverse to the mounting linkage assembly. The mounting linkage assembly reacts at least a thrust load. The tangential link reacts at least a vertical load, a side load, and a torque load of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A sealed compressor includes a cylindrical shell extending along an axis. A compressor pump unit is mounted within a housing defined by the cylindrical shell. An electric motor has an inner rotor and an outer stator. The stator has an outer peripheral surface of a first dimension. The center shell has a nominal inner diameter, greater than the first dimension of the stator. The rotor drives a driveshaft about the axis. The driveshaft is associated with the compressor pump unit. A suction port extends through the center shell to deliver a suction fluid to be compressed by the compressor pump unit. Some of the suction fluid flows into a gap defined between the nominal inner diameter of the center shell and the outer periphery of the stator. The center shell has portions deformed radially inwardly to contact the outer periphery of the stator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a converter circuit within the electrical accumulator unit based on a comparison between an actual average converter current and a desired average converter current.

Abstract: A wind power energy system includes a first source of energy producing variable energy, a second source of energy producing generally constant energy from the variable energy, and a third source of energy that receives the generally constant energy.

Abstract: A computer pointing device includes an interface for communicating to a computer in response to a user input. The pointing device includes a moveable input that is activated by the user. The pointing device includes at least one input electrical contact and at least one interface electrical contact. The moveable input cooperates with the resilient member to connect and disconnect the input electrical contact and the interface electrical contact from each other. The pointing device also includes a damper that is associated with at least one of the contacts to dampen noise generated by movement of the resilient member in response to user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming components with thermal barrier coatings are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: providing a component having a first side and an opposing second side; and using a preformed mask to obstruct vapors from being deposited on the second side of the component while moving the component relative to the vapors such that the vapors form a thermal barrier coating on the first side of the component.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a turbine engine has a convergent portion for converging fluid flow from a turbine engine core. A divergent portion for diverging fluid flow from the turbine engine core is in fluid communication with the convergent portion. A conduit is in communication with a bypass fluid flow. The conduit has a thrust vectoring port located near the divergent portion.

Abstract: A composite article includes a substrate and a protective layer on the substrate. The protective layer includes a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix.