Abstract: An active effective flow-through area control system includes an upstream wall-flow perturber and a downstream wall-flow perturber situated in an inlet region of an aircraft engine. The downstream wall-flow perturber is positioned downstream from the upstream wall-flow perturber. The upstream and downstream wall-flow perturbers are configured to generate and trap at least one region of separated, vortical flow in the airflow through the inlet region. A method, for actively changing an effective flow-through area of an inlet region of an aircraft engine, includes creating at least one region of separated, vortical flow in an airflow passage defined by the inlet region. The method further includes trapping the region of separated, vortical flow in the airflow passage. The region of separated, vortical flow partially obstructs a main inlet airflow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnet support structure. A cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of laminated composite layers concentrically assembled to one another along a longitudinal axis. An integral left flange is comprised of the laminated composite layers concentrically assembled with respect to a left flange axis. The left flange axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An integral right flange is comprised of the laminated composite layers concentrically assembled with respect to a right flange axis. The right flange axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A method for fabricating the magnet support structure comprises concentrically assembling the plurality of laminated composite layers along the longitudinal axis forming the cylindrical portion. Concentrically assembling the laminated composite layers with respect to the left flange axis forming the integral left flange.

Abstract: An image identification and quality indication system for radiographic inspection includes a flexible substrate, for positioning on a surface of an object to be inspected, and a number of locators and image quality indicators arranged on the flexible substrate. Each locator is configured for indicating a position on the object's surface in a respective radiographic image (image). Each image quality indicator is configured to indicate an image quality of the respective image. An image identification and quality indication method for radiographic inspection includes positioning the flexible substrate on the object's surface, including aligning the locators with a number of visible features on object's surface. The method further includes forming at least one reference mark and image quality mark in each of a number of images of the object, using a locator and image quality indicator, respectively. Each reference mark correlates the respective image with a position on the object.

Abstract: A method and system are described for providing a direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply with the method including, for example: continuously supplying fuel to a turbine; converting mechanical power from the turbine into alternating current (AC) electrical power; converting the AC electrical power to DC power within a predetermined voltage level range; supplying the DC power to a load; and maintaining a DC load voltage within the predetermined voltage level range by adjusting the amount of fuel supplied to the turbine.

Abstract: A melt polymerization method is presented which permits the efficient preparation of copolycarbonates in which one or more of the constituent dihydroxy. aromatic compounds employed is relatively volatile, having a boiling point of less than about 340° C. Relatively volatile dihydroxy aromatic compounds are illustrated by dihydroxybenzenes such as hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone and resorcinol. Known methods for the preparation of members of this class of copolycarbonates, such as the melt reaction of bisphenol A and resorcinol diphenyl carbonate in the presence of sodium hydroxide and tetraalkylammonium salt catalyst systems, suffer losses in efficiency due to the resorcinol being entrained out of the polymerization mixture with by-product phenol. Catalyst systems including quaternary phosphonium salts are shown to have improved performance with respect to the amount of volatile dihydroxy aromatic compound actually incorporated into the product copolycarbonate.

Abstract: Condensation curable poly(fluoroorgano)siloxane-poly(silarylene)siloxane block copolymer compositions having a glass transition temperature not exceeding about −54° C. and excellent solvent resistance have been found useful as sealants. Polyalkoxysilylorgano compounds, such as 1,4-bis[trimethoxysilyl(ethyl)]benzene have been found to be effective as cross-linkers.

Abstract: A on-line method is provided for detecting wear and/or damage to gas turbine parts. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a gas turbine comprising parts with smart coatings and collection and detection means to measure wear and erosion of gas turbine parts. In other preferred embodiments, smart coatings are provided comprising chemical taggants that can be collected and detected downstream, thus providing an on-line or in situ evaluation technology for wear and damage to gas turbine parts.

Abstract: A radiation imaging system comprises a movable radiation source adapted to be disposed in a plurality of respective radiation source positions; a radiation detector and a collimator assembly configured to displace a collimator in a plurality of respective collimator positions, each of the collimator positions being coordinated with at least one of the radiation source positions such that a radiation beam emanating from the radiation source is collimated to limit radiation incident on the detector to a predetermined exposure area. Another radiation imaging system comprises a movable radiation source; a radiation detector; and a collimator comprising an adjustable geometry aperture assembly configured such that an adjustment of the aperture geometry is synchronized with the movement of the radiation source and coordinated with the radiation source position so as to limit the incident radiation to a predetermined exposure area at the detector.

Abstract: Solid blends of rubbery polymers and amorphous or crystalline polymers, said blends being free-flowing at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature or crystalline melting temperature of the amorphous or crystalline polymer, are prepared by intimate mixing procedures. In general, said mixing conditions include high shear conditions sufficient to convert polymer A to dispersed particles coated with polymer B and produce a free-flowing powder blend.

Abstract: An environmentally resistant coating (34) for improving the oxidation resistance of a niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite (Nb-based RMIC) at high temperatures, the environmentally resistant coating (34) comprising silicon, titanium, chromium, and niobium. The invention includes a turbine system (10) having turbine components (11) comprising at least one Nb-based RMIC, the environmentally resistant coating (34) disposed on a surface (33) of the Nb-based RMIC, and a thermal barrier coating (42) disposed on an outer surface (40) of the environmentally resistant coating (34). Methods of making a turbine component (11) having the environmentally resistant coating (34) and coating a Nb-based RMIC substrate (32) with the environmentally resistant coating (34) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbine portion, for example a turbine blade, for exposure in a hot fluid flow includes at least one internal cooling passage disposed therein. A cooling fluid is introduced within the cooling passage(s) to maintain the bulk temperature of the turbine portion at some acceptable temperature level. A plurality of concavities are disposed on the interior surface of the cooling passage. In one embodiment, the concavities are formed on the interior surface of cooling passage in an array pattern such that a spiral bulk fluid motion is obtained, similar to that which would be formed by a helical rib, but without the rib. The concavity surface pattern serves to enhance heat transfer to the same degree as the conventional rib rougheners, but with significantly less pressure loss due to friction. The spiral motion of the bulk cooling fluid also serves to recirculate central coolant to the heat transfer surface, thereby making the heat exchange process more effective than that for turbulated surfaces.

Abstract: A solid state optical spectrometer for combustion flame temperature determination comprises: a first photodiode device for obtaining a first photodiode signal, the first photodiode device comprising a silicon carbide photodiode and having a range of optical responsivity within an OH band; a second photodiode device for obtaining a second photodiode signal, the second photodiode device comprising a silicon carbide photodiode and a filter, the second photodiode device having a range of optical responsivity in a different and overlapping portion of the OH band than the first photodiode device; and a computer for obtaining a ratio using the first and second photodiode signals and using the ratio to determine the combustion flame temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a fluid into a plasma stream with a uniform distribution and with reduced likelihood of clogging over prolonged use is provided. An injector includes a first channel portion for restricting a flow of the fluid and having a shape such that inner walls of the first channel portion are parallel to a first axis. The injector also includes a second channel portion in fluid communication with the first channel portion. The second channel portion includes a recessed portion such that inner walls of the second channel portion diverge from the first axis at a predetermined angle. The second channel portion reduces a buildup of a clogging layer on the inner walls of the second channel portion over a period of use. In addition, the injector can further include a tip portion that protrudes into the plasma. The injector can be integrated into or interchangeable within an injector system that can be designed for operation within a plasma deposition apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a remote site by a field engineer faced with a machine fault. The remote site includes various expert systems and fault prediction tools to assist the field engineer. In the event the field engineer is unable to diagnose the fault and repair the machine the machine is returned to a repair center, accompanied by an automatically generated return code that identifies the various analysis conducted by the field engineer and the potential fault causes identified during that analysis process.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing and validating a machine with waveform data generated therefrom. Historical waveform data are obtained from machines having known faults along with corresponding actions for repairing the machines and are used to develop fault classification rules. The fault classification rules are stored in a diagnostic knowledge database. The database of classification rules are used to diagnose new waveform data from a machine having an unknown fault.

Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly for circumferential monitoring of gas stream properties comprises a drive system attachable to a hot gas path housing. A rake is movably coupled to the drive system for unrestricted circumferential movement. At least one RF sensor is disposed on the rake for generating a signal responsive to the gas stream properties. Circuitry is provided for remotely powering the at least one RF sensor and for remotely detecting the signal.

Abstract: A method for providing producibility information to a user during a design process includes providing process capability models with integrated coaching information and providing a producibility evaluation worksheet having at least one input and at least one output, the input being selectable to represent a specific design. The worksheet is initialized with a relevant process capability model that is used to determine a producibility measure indicating an effect of the input on the output. The producibility measure is then displayed to the user.

Abstract: A current transformer for a ground fault circuit breaker used on a circuit having at least one line conductor and a neutral conductor includes a toroidal core having a circular opening defining a center point and a multi-turn winding wound on the core. A first guide member is disposed on one side of the core, and a second guide member is disposed on another side of the core. The first and second guide members each have a hole for receiving the line conductor and a hole for receiving the neutral conductor formed therein. The guide members thus position the conductors with respect to the core. The present invention also includes a method of correcting asymmetries in the current transformer. The method includes measuring the magnitude and orientation of any asymmetries, and then altering the current transformer based on the measured magnitude and orientation of the asymmetries so as to eliminate the asymmetries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method comprising contacting at least one diaryl carbonate with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are azonaphthalene sulfonates in combination with tetraalkylammonium or tetraalkylphosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The transesterification catalysts employed according to the method of the present invention provide polycarbonates having reduced levels of Fries rearrangement product relative to conventionally employed catalysts such as sodium hydroxide in combination with tetramethylammonium hydroxide co-catalyst.

Abstract: A method for applying at least one bond coating on a surface of a metal-based substrate is described. A foil of the bond coating material is first attached to the substrate surface and then fused thereto, e.g., by brazing. The foil is often initially prepared by thermally spraying the bond coating material onto a removable support sheet, and then detaching the support sheet. Optionally, the foil may also include a thermal barrier coating applied over the bond coating. The substrate can be a turbine engine component.