Abstract: A turbocharger system comprises a first relatively small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger (1) and a second relatively large low pressure (LP) turbocharger (2). The turbine (6) of the LP turbocharger (2) is connected in series downstream of the turbine (4) of the HP turbocharger (1) in a first exhaust gas passage (11). An exhaust bypass flow passage (12) provides a bypass flow path around the HP turbine (4). A rotary valve (8) is located at a junction of the bypass flow passage (12) and a first exhaust gas flow passage (11). The rotary valve (8) comprises a valve rotor (19) which is rotatable to selectively permit or block flow to the LP turbine (6) from either the first exhaust gas passage (11) or the bypass gas passage (12). The rotary valve (8) is operated to at least partially restrict flow to the LP turbine to generate a braking back pressure.

Abstract: A pedal assembly including a pedal support and a pedal member rotatably coupled to the pedal support to allow pivotal movement of the pedal member about a pivot axis. The pedal assembly further includes a friction member having a bearing surface, and a clamp member engaged with the pedal member and having an engagement surface abutting the bearing surface of the friction member to define at least two separate and distinct surface contact regions. The pedal assembly also includes a biasing member arranged to bias the clamp member to provide frictional engagement along the separate and distinct surface contact regions to resist pivotal movement of the pedal member. In one embodiment, the clamp member is engaged with the pedal member by a sliding pivot configured to allow the clamp member to be pivotally and slidably displaced relative to the pedal member during pivotal movement of the pedal member.

Abstract: There is described a method for processing stacks (1) of sheets of securities, especially banknotes, into bundles (3) and bundle packs (4), said sheets each having an array of security prints printed thereon which array comprises M columns and N rows. According to this method, each stack (1) of sheets is processed into M successive bundle groups (3*) of N individual bundles (3) each and these M successive bundle groups (3*) are stored in M separate storage areas (11), which storage areas (11) are vertically superposed, whereby each one of the M successive bundle groups (3*) is stored in a predetermined one of the M separate storage areas (11). Subsequent stacks (1) of sheets are processed, whereby each one of the M successive bundle groups (3*) processed from said subsequent stacks (1) of sheets is piled in the same predetermined one of said M separate storage areas (11) as the first stack (1) of sheets.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an engine, a generator driven by the engine, an electrical energy storage device, power control circuitry coupling the generator and storage device together, and a processor coupled to the circuitry. The generator provides variable AC power and the storage device provides variable DC power to the circuitry. The processor executes operating logic to provide control signals to the circuitry to operate the generator at a first speed to provide a first level of AC electricity, increase the DC power provided from the storage device to increase the AC electricity to a second level, increase operating speed of the generator from the first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed, decrease the DC power from the storage device as the operating speed of the generator increases, and limit acceleration of the operating speed to reduce perception of a speed change.

Abstract: One form of the present invention contemplates a unique system for creating a customized bank card by a consumer/user based on instructions from a remote terminal. Other forms of the present invention contemplate unique apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, software, methods, and combinations of these for creating customized bank cards.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a lubrication containment system is set forth herein. In one lubrication containment system, a seal runner can be fixed to the rotatable structure and seal against a static radial seal supported by the sump housing. The method also includes the step of rotating the structure relative to the sump housing. The method also includes the step of directing test fluid to the structure inside the sump housing. The method also includes the step of quantifying an accumulation of test lubricant at the seal runner during rotation by omitting the radial seal from the lubrication containment system. As a result, test lubricant can pass out of the sump housing. The amount of test lubricant that passes out of the sump housing, past the location where the seal runner would be or would have been, corresponds to the amount of lubricant that accumulates at the seal runner during operation in the field.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a component is disclosed herein. The disclosed lubrication system can be applied relatively high temperature operating environments, relatively low temperature operating environments, or both. The lubrication system includes a tank operable to contain lubricant and having at least one tank outlet. The lubrication system also includes a tube extending between first and second ends. The first end of the tube is in fluid communication with at least one tank outlet. The lubrication system also includes an atomizer in fluid communication with the second end of the tube to receive lubricant from the tank. The atomizer is operable to dispense atomized lubricant on the component. The tank, the tube, and the atomizer are all adjacent to the component. A method for practicing the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas turbine including an exhaust diffuser with a flow splitter located between the inner wall and outer wall defining the exhaust gas flow path. In one aspect the flow splitter being moveable independent of the walls defining the exhaust gas flow path to allow for differing thermal movement between the components. In one form a structural member extends from a wall and is coupled to the flow splitter. The wall can have an opening for the through which the structural member is allowed to pass. In some forms a plurality of structural members can be coupled to the flow splitter. In other forms the flow splitter can be independently movable relative to the wall.

Abstract: A transfer switch assembly is disclosed that includes a power switch device with a number engagement landings and a printed circuit board defining an opening bordered by a number of tabs. The tabs engage the landings as the switch device extends through the openings, and can be fastened together.

Abstract: There is described a process for numbering substrates having security prints printed thereon, each of the substrates comprising a plurality of security prints which are arranged in k columns and n rows on the substrate, wherein product k*n is an integer multiple of ten or of twenty-five.

Abstract: A device (10) for the detachable connection of structural parts (80, 84) in an aircraft, comprising a clamping lever arrangement (12) associated with a first structural part (80) and a clamping pin (14) associated with a second structural part (84), wherein the clamping lever arrangement (12) comprises an eccentric shaft (20) rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (A) on the first structural part (80), a clamping lever (16) mounted eccentrically and swivellably with respect to the eccentric shaft (20) and a driving bushing (18) rotatably mounted relative to the eccentric shaft (20) about the rotation axis (A) and coupled in a geared manner to the clamping lever (16), wherein the clamping lever arrangement (12) can furthermore be displaced between a release position, a readiness position and a locking position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a magnetic field sensing cell and a magnetic shield comprising at least two parts separated by an air-gap and surrounding the magnetic field sensing cell positioned in a cavity of the magnetic shield.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicular electric power generation system comprising a variable speed internal combustion engine, a first variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a second variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a first inverter to receive electric power from the first generator a provide a first controlled electric output, a second inverter to receive electric power from the second generator and provide a second controlled electric output, and a controller coupled to the engine. The controller is responsive to variation in electrical loading of the first inverter and the second inverter and a degree of electrical load imbalance between the first inverter and second inverter to provide one or more engine control signals. The engine is responsive to the one more engine control signals to change rotational operating speed to adjust for the variation in electrical loading and the degree of electrical load imbalance.

Abstract: A compressor for compressing a gas comprises an impeller wheel mounted within a housing (2) defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet comprises a map-width enhanced structure with an annular flow passage (11) defined between inner (9) and outer (7) tubular walls. The flow passage (11) is in fluid communication with the impeller wheel by virtue of a slot (13) in the inner wall (9). A flow-conditioning member (14) is positioned in the annular flow passage (11) and serves to remove swirl from the gas flow that recirculates through the passage. The flow-conditioning member (14) comprises a body penetrated by a plurality of bores (15). The arrangement provides for a significant improvement in the surge margin of the compressor and is particularly suitable for use in a turbocharger.

Abstract: A hearing system has a first device and a second device. The first device acoustically couples to skin of a user of the hearing system and includes a sensor to detect acoustic signals. The second device includes a hearing stimulator arrangement to stimulate hearing of the user in response to the acoustic signals detected with the first device. The first device and second device are each operable to bidirectionally communicate through an ultrasonic communication link comprising at least a portion of the body of the user.