Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan variable area nozzle having a multiple of vents through a fan nacelle and a sleeve system movable relative to the vents by an actuator system. The fan variable area nozzle changes the effective area of the fan nozzle exit area to permit efficient operation at predefined pressure ratios. The vents include a grid structure which directs and smoothes the airflow therethrough as well as to reduce noise generation.

Abstract: A method of repairing an engine case for a gas turbine engine includes the steps of identifying a damaged flange on an engine case, removing the damaged flange down to a surface of the engine case to receive a replacement flange. The replacement flange is placed on the surface, and welded to the surface utilizing cold metal transfer.

Abstract: An example method of controlling gas turbine engine debris monitoring sensors includes detecting debris carried by air moving through an engine using at least first and second debris sensors, and processing signals from both the first and second debris sensors using a common signal conditioning unit. Another example method of monitoring gas turbine engine debris includes configuring at least one first debris sensor to detect debris carried by airflow moving through a first portion of an engine and configuring at least one second debris sensor to detect debris carried by airflow moving though a second portion of the engine. The method alternates between using the first debris sensor to detect debris and using the second debris sensor to detect debris.

Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a support structure and at least one combustor liner panel selectively attached to the support structure. The combustor liner panel includes an uncooled ceramic portion, a cooled ceramic portion and a support that receives the cooled ceramic portion.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of tension members (22). A joint in the load bearing assembly (20) has a staggered pattern of discontinuities (30) in the tension members (22). A stress relieving feature is associated with at least outermost tension members (22A, 22L) in the vicinity of the discontinuities. One example includes supplemental tension members (32, 50) as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes selected spacings (32?, 40, 42) between ends of at least some of the tension members. One example includes different sized tension members as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes different lateral spacings between selected tension members.

Abstract: A mailbox support attaching to a post includes an arm for supporting a mailbox at a given height, an opening for freely allowing the arm to slide over the post, and a tab flexibly extending into the opening and designed to limit movement of the arm relative to the post if the post is disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A planetary wheel end assembly includes an axle shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end, a planetary gear assembly receiving driving input from the axle shaft, and a rotational support element that pilots the outboard end of the axle shaft. The planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear that is fixed for rotation with the axle shaft, a plurality of planet gears that are in meshing engagement with the sun gear, a non-rotating ring gear that is in meshing engagement with the planet gears, and a planetary spider that supports the plurality of planet gears. The planetary spider provides driving output to rotate a wheel component. The rotational support element is positioned radially between the outboard end of the axle shaft and planetary spider to allow relative rotation between the planetary spider and the outboard end of the axle shaft.

Abstract: An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.

Abstract: A method for installing an accessory for a bath includes attaching a first mounting bracket to a structure; placing the accessory on a first side of a system wall that is visible after installation; placing a second mounting bracket on a second side of the system wall that is not visible after installation; attaching the accessory to the second mounting bracket through the system wall; and attaching the second mounting bracket to the first mounting bracket wherein the system wall has a first portion that is both parallel to the structure and extends above the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, and a second portion that is both parallel to the structure and extends below the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket.

Abstract: A wireless communication network (20) includes a power control technique that includes repeating an erasure indicator bit in a transmission from a mobile station (22) to a base station (24, 30, 36). The repeated erasure indicator bit is transmitted on the uplink to each base station. The base station then uses the majority rule of those repeated erasure indicator bits to adjust its transmit power. It results in a desired power control command corresponding to the quality of a downlink between a base station (24, 30, 36) and the mobile station (22). A disclosed example includes using the repeated error indicator bit for deciding whether a recent frame should be considered an erasure. If so, the base station increases power on the downlink forward channel. If not, the base station decreases the transmit power on the downlink forward channel. A disclosed example includes alternative power control adjustment techniques, depending on the recent history of the quality of the downlink.

Abstract: A combustion duct assembly has a transition duct and a combustion liner having a hula seal at a downstream end that is forced within an inner wall of the transition duct. The combustion liner is held within the transition duct by the hula seal, but allowed to move relative to the transition duct. The combustion liner is formed with heat transfer columns adjacent the downstream end, and radially inwardly of the hula seal.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is utilized in combination with a gear reduction to reduce the speed of a fan relative to a low pressure turbine speed. The gas turbine engine is designed such that a blade count in the low pressure turbine multiplied by the speed of the low pressure turbine will result in operational noise that is above a sensitive range for human hearing. A method and turbine module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A desalinization plant and process utilizes solar radiation to produce steam from seawater which is then used to generate freshwater and electricity.

Abstract: A desalinization plant and process utilizes solar radiation to produce steam from seawater which is then used to generate freshwater and electricity.

Abstract: A tire inflation system includes a hose that connects to a tire via a valve stem. A control valve is in fluid communication with the hose and senses when pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. When this occurs, the control valve automatically opens to re-supply air to the tire until the predetermined minimum value is achieved. A pressure relieve valve is also in fluid communication with the hose. If, for example, ambient temperatures increase, causing tire pressure to increase, then the pressure relief valve automatically vents excessive pressure to atmosphere. The pressure relief valve is set at a predetermined maximum pressure level that is generally at least 5 psi more than the predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: A cold air buffer supply tube for a gas turbine engine includes a tube body having a first tube end and a second tube end. A fitting is secured to the first tube end, and a metering cap is secured to the tube second end. The metering cap includes a cap body having a peripheral wall with a plurality of holes to direct flow from an air supply into a bearing compartment for the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A dirt separator may be retrofit into existing gas turbine engines since it is formed of circumferentially separate pieces which may be assembled together in the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A fuel-powered engine is provided to drive a mobile air conditioning or refrigeration unit such as a portable chiller, a container refrigeration unit, a portable packaged system, a transport tractor-trailer or truck refrigeration unit, etc. A control rapidly changes the engine speed between the predefined set of discreet engine speeds to precisely adjust the capacity of the refrigerant system. If the engine operates only at a single speed, then the control cycles the engine between this operating speed and a zero speed (the engine is shut off). If the engine can operate at multiple discreet speeds, then the control can cycle the engine between any of these speeds (including a zero speed). When a lower capacity is desirable, the engine operates for a longer time interval at a lower speed, and when a higher capacity is desirable, the engine operates for a longer period of time at a higher speed. The cycle rate is selected to control the comfort (e.g.

Abstract: A solar concentrator includes a plurality of separate panels positioned between opposed support rods. Tension elements extend between the support rods and mount the plurality of panels.