Abstract: A device for installing a bolt retainer onto a bolt includes a support bar and a handle attached to the support bar. A retainer dispensing assembly mounted to the support bar includes a rail capable of holding a number of bolt retainers thereon. A retainer seat is attached to the support bar, and the retainer seat and retainer dispensing assembly are relatively positioned so that the retainer dispensing assembly delivers bolt retainers to the retainer seat. A slide member is slidingly mounted in a channel in the support arm. The slide member slides between a first position in which it engages a bolt retainer on the retainer seat and a second position in which it drives the bolt retainer onto a bolt.

Abstract: A multifunctional weld fixture is provided having a base receiving a component and a plurality of locator tabs disposed around its outer edge. A circumferential array of expansion feet are movably attached to the top surface of the base. A disk-shaped wedge is disposed in sliding engagement with the expansion feet. A cover supports a portion of the component and seals against the component to create an enclosed plenum. The same fixture may be used to expand the component to compensate for shrinkage after the weld is compete.

Abstract: A mount for mounting an aircraft engine to an aircraft includes a mounting frame having first and second flanges spaced apart a predetermined distance. Each of the first and second flanges has a bolt hole formed therein. A single thrust link is connected at one end to the mounting frame and at another end to the engine and serves as the primary axial loadpath for the engine. A lug formed on the engine casing is disposed between the first and second flanges and has a thickness that is less than the distance between the first and second flanges. The lug also has a bolt hole formed therein. A bolt extends through the bolt holes in the first and second flanges and the lug to connect the lug to the first and second flanges. The bolt hole in the lug is larger in diameter than the bolt to allow the lug to slide axially along the bolt. The first and second flanges, the lug and the bolt provide a waiting failsafe arrangement for reacting axial loads upon failure of the single thrust link.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use syringe comprising a needle housing, a bore-containing fluid-delivery needle and a volume-containing element. The needle housing has a top surface to which the volume-containing element is attached, a needle attachment side to which the bore-containing needle is attached, and a fluid delivery channel in communication between the top surface and the needle attachment side. The volume-containing element is fluid-tight but for communication with the fluid-delivery and a filling port. Embodiments are disclosed which include vapor-permeable portions which facilitate lyophilization of materials in situ.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine, the airfoil having a core body with an airfoil body, an integral partial height squealer tip defining a tip shelf, and an integral tip cap between the airfoil body and the integral partial height squealer tip; and a squealer tip extension bonded to the partial height squealer tip. A method for manufacture and repair of an airfoil.

Abstract: A decision making process for evaluating performance shifts identified during a diagnostic trend analysis of gas turbine engine data includes first determining whether each performance shift is actionable, and then determining what maintenance action is required for actionable performance shifts. The maintenance action is determined by identifying potential causes of the actionable performance shifts and ranking the identified potential causes in most likely order. A manual is provided for guiding a user through the decision making process. The manual includes a flow chart flow chart setting forth the steps of the decision making process and a number of tables used in the process.

Abstract: A modified trocar system to assist in surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the system is designed to assist in lifting lift a body wall in order to perform surgical procedures within the body cavity without establishing insufflation. The flanged trocar embodiment includes an extended flange forming a portion of the trocar body wall that may be inserted through the incision and deployed against either the interior surface of the body wall, or the interior surface of a protective sealing ring. A lifting mechanism forming a portion of the upper part of the flanged trocar is used in conjunction with the extended flange to enable the surgeon to draw the retained trocar upward in order to provide additional access to the body cavity under the tented body wall. In a more general embodiment of the invention, the modified trocar is directed through an existing incision and is used in an inward-to-outward manner to create a second smaller incision.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies which catalyze hydrolysis of &bgr;-amyloid. Antibodies generated are characterized by the amide linkage which they hydrolyze. Methods of generating the antibodies by using &bgr;-amyloid peptides which incorporate transition state analogs are also provided. Also disclosed is a vectorized antibody which is characterized by the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, and is further characterized by the ability to catalyze the hydrolysis of &bgr;-amyloid. The vectorized antibody can take the form of a bispecific antibody, which has a first specificity for the transferrin receptor and a second specificity for a transition state adopted by &bgr;-amyloid during hydrolysis.

Abstract: A retainer nut for use in a bearing assembly disposed between a shaft and another structural element does not trap metallic chips from a failing bearing. The bearing assembly includes a first race mounted to the shaft, a second race mounted to the structural element, and a plurality of bearing elements disposed between the first and second races. The retainer nut is attached to the shaft and includes a cylindrical ring portion and an annular flange disposed on one end of the ring portion. The flange extends radially inward from the ring portion, and a plurality of openings is formed through the flange for allowing metallic chips to freely pass.

Abstract: A system for cleaning the fouling and clogging of particulate matter associated with a fluidized gas bed. The system is particularly suited for use with Selective Catalytic Reduction reactors but its use is not limited thereto. The system includes a gas compressor to force cleaning gas through gas injection lines adjacent to retaining structures to be cleaned. The compressor produces sufficient pressure to cause the cleaning gas to dislodge the particulate from the retaining structures. A vacuum system withdraws the dislodged particulate and mixed gas from the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed to automatically match the resonant frequency of a series resonant circuit to an imposed operating frequency. A series resonant circuit is used to store or modulate magnetic energy or to generate high voltages. The circuit includes a capacitive element in series with an inductive element and voltage driving source. The capacitive element includes a base capacitance in parallel with a switch circuit that is in series with a trim capacitance. The switch circuit regulates the timing and direction of current through the trim capacitance. The capacitance of the capacitive element may be tightly controlled so that the resonant frequency may be closely regulated. A controller regulates the operation of the switch circuit and the voltage driving source as a function of sensed current through the resonant circuit and the driving frequency and amplitude to be matched.

Abstract: A medical guide wire containment device having a housing for receiving and retaining one or more guide wires. The housing includes one or more isolation chambers, each of which is designed to accept therein at least one guide wire. The isolation chambers include fixed guides to cause the wire to coil up therein with minimal entanglement. The isolation chambers also include a receiving funnel and a port centered in the funnel. The port is configured to allow the healthcare provider to pass the guide wire into the isolation chamber and to draw it out of the isolation chamber. An optional wiping sponge is affixed within the chamber behind the receiving port to wipe the guide wire as it enters and exits the isolation chamber. A wetting solution such as heparinized saline is retained within the housing to keep the guide wire clean and wetted. The housing may include a stabilization base to minimize the possibility of the housing tipping over.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. The isolated polypeptide binds to the DNA binding domain located from −550 to −487 in the promoter of the human TNF-&agr; gene. Additionally, the level of the mRNA transcript encoding the isolated polypeptide is substantially increased in response to LPS stimulation in cultured THP-1 cells.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of work stations, where each work station has at least one electrode. The EDM apparatus further includes one or more power supplies and a power transfer switch for alternately supplying power to various sets of the electrodes. The power transfer switch has a first state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding first electrode in one of the work stations and a second state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding second electrode in another work station.

Abstract: Concentric installation of a pilot fuel assembly in an opening in a gas turbine combustor casing is achieved by providing a boss having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the combustor casing surrounding the opening and a mounting flange having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the pilot fuel assembly. The pilot fuel assembly is concentrically installed to the combustor casing by inserting the assembly into the combustor casing opening, and moving the pilot fuel assembly as far as it will go in a first direction substantially parallel to one of the flat boss surfaces. The distance between the other flat boss surface and one of the flat flange surfaces is then taken. Next, the pilot fuel assembly is moved in the direction opposite the first direction, at which point, the distance between the same two flat surfaces is again measured.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system has a central computer system and at least one data acquisition unit for collecting data from a machine to be monitored. The data acquisition unit includes an on-site computer system having a central processor and an auxiliary processor. The data acquisition unit further includes one or more sensors for generating a process data signal and one or more sensors for generating a dynamic data signal. The process data signal is fed to the central processor and the auxiliary processor, and the dynamic data signal is fed to the auxiliary processor. A communication link connects the central computer system and the on-site computer system.

Abstract: A spline connection is provided between a first part and a second part wherein a first set of internal splines is formed on an inner cylindrical surface of the first part and a second set of internal splines is formed on an inner cylindrical surface of the second part. Also included is a connector sleeve having first and second sets of external splines formed thereon. The connector sleeve is slideable between a pre-assembly position located fully within the second part and a fully assembled position in which a section of the connector sleeve is located in the first part and another section is located in the second part so that the first set of external splines engage the first set of internal splines and the second set of external spines engage the second set of internal splines.

Abstract: A variable reluctance solenoid includes an armature and a yoke located axially beyond one end of the armature. Magnetic attraction across an axial gap between the armature and yoke causes the armature to move axially and close the gap. The armature includes ferromagnetic laminations lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. These laminations may include slots, proportioned and directed to combat eddy currents and reduce moving mass while avoiding creation of flux bottlenecks. The solenoid may have two yokes on opposite sides of the armature, providing reciprocating armature motion.

Abstract: There is provided a turbine airfoil having a plurality of pressure side bleed slots through which cooling air is discharged. A portion of the slot openings are covered with an outer wall which comprises a high temperature foil.

Abstract: A hollow cooled turbine airfoil is provided having pressure and suction side walls and a plurality of trailing edge cooling passages that feed cooling air bleed slots at the trailing edge. The suction side wall has a selectively reduced thickness, which allows shortened trailing edge slots, improving trailing edge cooling.