Abstract: Difficulties in starting turbine engines 10 at high altitudes are avoided in a starting system which includes a combustor 34 having a gas outlet 32 adapted to be in communication with a turbine engine nozzle 28, a fuel inlet 36, and an oxidant inlet 38 so that fuel may be oxidized within the combustor 34 by an oxidant to provide hot gases at the outlet 32. The system includes a first pressure vessel 58 adapted to receive liquid oxygen and a second pressure vessel 60 adapted to receive liquid nitrogen. Pumps 62, 64, and conduits 56, 54, 68 establish a flow path between the vessels 58, 60 and the oxidant inlet 38 while a mixing valve 66 is disposed in the flow path to mix the oxygen and nitrogen flowing therein in a desired proportion.

Abstract: A simulated food product carrier formed of synthetic resin accurately conforming to a carrier portion of an actual foodstuff, such as an oyster half shell. The simulated food product representation is formed as a printing on a suitable nontoxic synthetic resin cover sheet, permitting the food product to be stored and served thereon. In one embodiment, the carrier is formed of high temperature resistant synthetic resin, permitting the carrier and food product thereon to be heated for serving. The carrier is adapted for extended storage at freezing temperatures. The carrier is provided, in one form, as individual food product carriers and, in another disclosed form, as a portion of a serving tray or dish.

Abstract: Improper assembly and/or dissociation due to improper handling of a tank 10 to header plate 14 joint in a heat exchanger is avoided through the use of a retaining strip 50 having fingers 54 receivable in slots 36 in an upstanding flange 26 surrounding a sealing surface 28 on the header plate 14. The fingers 54 are provided with hook-like formations 60, 62, 64 which lodge behind a surface 44 of the flange 26.

Abstract: Carbon build-up in a hot gas generator is avoided in a construction including a vessel 24 having a narrow inlet end 26, a narrow outlet end 28 and an intermediate, relatively wide, combustion chamber 30 by either disposing a heat shield 50 on the interior surface 48 of the combustion chamber 30 or locating a flow path 54 for coolant about the exterior surface 52 of the vessel 24, or both.

Abstract: An elevator self-diagnostic system monitors the operative status of various elevator components and upon sensing an error initiates action to bring the elevator car to a safe operating state. The system then logs the error. The diagnostic system then analyzes the error and the conditions prevailing at the time the error occurred and, if necessary, a corrective action is then taken to resolve the error. This allows the elevator system to be brought back into service more quickly than would otherwise be possible. Specifically, a number of tests are serially performed on various elevator components, such as the motor drive, the position sensors, etc. When an error, or fault, arises in a system component, a selt-diagnostic system logs a preselected error level which has been assigned to the particular fault. A preselected action is then taken according to the particular error.

Abstract: The turbine engine may be started without the use of start injectors by a method including the steps of initiating rotation of a compressor and turbine wheel by applying an external angular accelerating force thereto, introducing fuel through a minority of the fuel injectors employed at about 5-10% of rated engine speed while continuing the application of the accelerating force, introducing fuel through the remainder of the injectors after ignition of the fuel introduced by the prior step and when the engine reaches 15-25% of rated speed while maintaining injection through the minority of injectors, and thereafter modulating fuel flow through all of the injectors to operate the engine in a desired fashion. Also disclosed is a turbine engine practicing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A torque limiter which includes an input shaft and an output shaft coaxial with the input shaft. A ball ramp torque transmitting device is disposed concentrically relative to the shafts. A first spring is axially disposed of the ball ramp device for normally preloading the device. A friction brake assembly is axially disposed between the ball ramp device and the first spring and operatively associated with the output shaft. Pins extend axially through the friction brake assembly for transferring preloading spring force to the ball ramp device. A second spring is disposed on the same side of the friction brake assembly as the first spring and acts on the friction brake assembly. Both springs are mounted about the output shaft whereby the shaft itself carries the loads of the torque limiter.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for converting between first and second digital data formats is disclosed whereby digital words of the first format are analyzed to detect an upper bandwidth limit of a corresponding analog signal in an interval thereof defined by such words and to determine the level of the analog signal at the beginning of such interval. A digital word of the second format is encoded with first and second pluralities of bits representing the determined upper bandwidth limit and the level of the corresponding analog signal at the beginning of the interval.

Abstract: A sonar system for a water craft including a transducer assembly mounted to the hull of the water craft, and a control circuit for applying signals to the transducer for forward transmission by the transducer and for sensing signals reflected from objects forwardly of the craft and for causing actuation of an alarm. The transducer assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the hull such that during pitching motion of the craft, the signals transmitted by the transducer remain in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A pull guide mechanism for moving a copy sheet transversely of a conveyor board into proper registration in a printing, duplicating or like machine. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted in the conveyor board and a pressure wheel is disposed above the conveyor board for sandwiching a copy sheet therebetween and pulling the sheet into proper registration in response to driven rotation of the drive wheel. A carriage is mounted on the machine for reciprocal movement toward and away from the conveyor board and the drive wheel. A spring biased piston is mounted on the carriage for limited yielding movement relative to the carriage. The pressure wheel is rotatably mounted on the piston for movement with the carriage toward and away from the drive wheel and for gripping a copy sheet between the wheels against the spring bias. A first adjusting device adjusts the position of the piston relative to the carriage and thereby adjusts the dwell time that the wheels grip the copy sheet.

Abstract: An energy converter for providing a plurality of different outputs, including a base, a heating unit mounted to the base, and defining a combustion chamber for combustion of fuel therein, a boiler mounted to the base for receiving products of combustion from the combustion chamber and heating liquid water to form steam therein, a valved steam line for providing steam from the boiler to a steam engine mounted to the base, a generator mounted to the base connected to the engine for generating electricity, a controlled outlet for providing process steam from the boiler, a hot water heater mounted to the base receiving exhaust steam from the engine for heating water therein, and a return line for conducting condensate from the water heater back to the boiler for regeneration of steam therein. The heating unit is arranged to burn a wide range of different fuels. The heating unit is adapted to provide a clean effluent suitable to be used as heated air for convectively heating an enclosed space.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a solar concentrator and a power conversion unit for converting direct solar energy from the concentrator to electrical energy to power appropriate loads. The power conversion unit operates through the medium of a working fluid, such as a turbo-generator. An integrated combustor/heat exchanger is coupled to the power conversion unit for heating the working fluid during periods of solar eclipse and giving off a water combustion product in the form of water vapor. An electrolyzer receives the water combustion product and regenerates the product to gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyzer is coupled to the power conversion unit as to be powered thereby during the periods of excess electrical energy. The regenerated hydrogen and oxygen is used in the integrated combustor/heat exchanger during periods of solar eclipse.

Abstract: A window operator has a base with an upstanding pivot pin having a bushing thereon and at least one component pivotally mounted on the bushing. The components are held in assembled relation by a captured washer and the washer has an outer annular portion formed to provide a controlled clearance. A method of forming the window operator comprises assembly of the pivot pin, bushing and pivotal component to a mounting base and the capturing of a washer beneath the head of the pivot pin and with an inner annular part of the washer engaging an upper edge of the bushing which extends beyond the upper surface of the pivotal component, followed by a deformation of the outer annular part of the washer to compress the pivotal component between the washer and the base followed by release of the compressive force to permit spring-back of the outer annular part of the washer to provide the controlled clearance.

Abstract: A parking trolley for light aircraft (1) with a couple of landing wheels (3,3), and a nose or rear supporting wheel (3'), comprising a mainly T-shaped frame (2) with adjustable supporting surfaces (4, 5,6) for the landing wheels (3,3) and the supporting wheel (3'). The T-frame is supported by wheels (12,13,14) at the free ends of the frame, the wheels being adjustable and lockable in a position with the turning axes of the wheels in parallel for transport of the parking trolley and light aircraft on the trolley by the aid of a traction vehicle. Furthermore, wheels (12,13,14) are adjustable to positions with their turning axes directed as radii of a turning point (9), alternatively a turning point (10) at a distance from turning point (9), which is connected with an anchoring means (11) in the ground, via a turning bolt.

Abstract: A drum lifter ring formed as a one-piece molded synthetic resin ring having a plurality of rows of radially outwardly opening recesses in a midportion thereof, a rigid top wall projecting radially outwardly to beyond the outer surface of the midportion, and a rigid bottom wall projecting radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of the midportion. The bottom wall is provided with a plurality of downwardly opening recesses. The top wall defines a downwardly opening annular recess adjacent the outer surface of the ring midportion. In the illustrated embodiment, the radially outwardly opening recesses in the midportion are provided in a plurality of vertically spaced rows, with the recesses of the respective rows vertically aligned.

Abstract: A simplified business form including a return postcard overcomes the problems of ease of use by recipient in a construction including first and second superimposed plies 10, 12 of which at least one 10 is of card stock like that employed in postcards. Glue or folds 16, 18, 24, 26; 72 join the peripheries of the plies 10, 12 to hold the same in substantial abutment with each other and a closed line of weakening 42 is located in one ply 10 and defines the periphery of return postcard 52. A franking designation or stamp receiving area 68 is located on the one ply 10 on the side thereof facing the other ply 12 within the closed line of weakening 42.

Abstract: The cost of fuel injection nozzles 50 and their tendency to clog in a gas turbine having an annular combustor 26 can be reduced by alternating the fuel injection nozzles 50 with bender jets 56 configured to introduce a combustion supporting gas into an annular combustion zone 40 at locations between the fuel injectors 50 to achieve uniform turbine inlet temperature distribution while requiring fewer of the nozzles 50 and allowing those nozzles 50 that are utilized to have larger fluid flow paths that are less prone to clogging.

Abstract: A closure is provided for selectively closing an opening of a container, including a base element arranged to be affixed to a container adjacent an opening therein. In one embodiment, the closure is provided with tamper-evident film fixed to the base element, and a control element is pivotally movable relative to the base element between open and closed position. When the base element is affixed to the container, the tamper-evident film obstructs the container opening. When the control element pivots to the open position, the tamper-evident film is visible, and can be punctured or otherwise removed. According to another embodiment of the invention, a closure is provided for a container having a tamper-evident film secured thereto overlying the opening in a container.

Abstract: A food treatment/holding apparatus has a cabinet defining a storage space for food to be treated, a heater with a surface that can be heated above the boiling temperature of water, and structure for delivering a plurality of preselected amounts of water against the heater surface according to the length of time a cabinet door is opened.