Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a method for input/output (I/O) board addressing and communications in an electronic electric meter having a microcomputer. The method includes steps of providing interchangeable I/O boards of an electronic electric meter with type identifiers; and determining, using a microcomputer of the meter and the type identifier of the I/O board, a type of interchangeable I/O board being utilized in the meter.

Abstract: A sensor measures temperature in stationary components of electrical machines using fiber optics. An optical fiber is embedded in a non-metallic ribbon. Notches are cut in the ribbon to effect bends that accommodate a shape of a stationary component. The ribbon and optical fiber are attached to the stationary component. A series of laser pulses can be injected from at least one end of the optical fiber, and the stationary component temperature can be monitored by interrogation of reflections from the series of laser pulses.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a component. The method includes coupling the component to a fixture such that the component is fixedly secured in position during machining of the component, and inspecting the component using an inspection tool while the component is coupled to the fixture.

Abstract: The cooling system for the nozzle edges includes a chamber containing a cooling medium. First and second elongated plenums are disposed along opposite side edges of each platform. Inlet passages communicate cooling medium from the chamber into each plenum. Outlet passages from each plenum terminate in outlet holes in the side edges of the platform to cool the gap between adjacent nozzle segments. Passageways communicate with each plenum and terminate in film cooling holes to film cool platform surfaces. In each plenum, the inlet passages are not in direct line-of-sight flow communication with the outlet passages and passageways.

Abstract: The third stage nozzle has an airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z and Z is a non-dimensional value from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values of Table I by a height of the airfoil in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X and Y distances may be scalable to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil for the nozzle. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.100 inches.

Abstract: An omnidirectional eddy current probe includes a number of sense coils arranged in a stack having a principal axis. At least two of the sense coils are rotationally skewed about the principal axis relative to one another. The sense coils are operatively connected to each other and a drive coil is also positioned in the stack. An impulse through the drive coil induces a magnetic influx through a conducting material specimen having a surface, thereby generating eddy currents on the surface. Secondary magnetic field generated from the eddy currents produces corresponding signals in the sense coils, and the signals are then analyzed for the possibility of surface flaw in the conducting material.

Abstract: A wind turbine. In one embodiment, the wind turbine includes a platform and one or more gyroscopes connected to the platform to detect movement of the platform. A control circuit is coupled with the one or more gyroscopes to determine loads placed on one or more turbine components and to mitigate the loads in response to signals from the one or more gyroscopes.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coatings for the underlying substrate of articles that operate at, or are exposed to, high temperatures. The thermal barrier coating includes a zirconia-containing upper layer wherein the zirconia is stabilized in the cubic crystalline phase to reduce the thermal conductivity of the coating. The thermal barrier coating further includes a zirconia-containing lower layer stabilized in the tetragonal crystalline phase that increases the adherence of the upper layer to the bond coat layer that overlies the substrate of the article to improve the resistance of the coating to spallation.

Abstract: Internally lubricated polymer compositions containing a styrene- and/or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer, an olefin-containing polymer, and a compatibilizer are provided. The olefin-containing polymer, which is present in the compositions in about 3 to about 30 weight percent, provides internal lubrication and improves the tribological properties of the compositions compared with the styrene- or polyphenylene ether-containing polymer alone, as determined by wear measurements. Preferred compositions exhibit wear factors less than about 130×10?11n mm5/Pa-m. A preferred composition includes a blend of polystyrene/polyphenylene ether, linear low density polyethylene, and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene.

Abstract: A system for detecting conditions indicative of substandard performance of cylinders in an internal combustion engine includes an engine control unit disposed in operable communication with the engine and a computer disposed in informational communication with the engine control unit. A method for utilizing the system includes comparing fuel requirements of the engine operating under power of all cylinders and under the successive arrest of each of the cylinders or sets of cylinders. The process is repeated until each cylinder or set of cylinders is arrested and all of the data can be compiled and considered to determine the performance of each cylinder or set of cylinders. The system measures the required fuel with all cylinders operating and enables a recommendation to be made with respect to corrective or maintenance measures that should be undertaken with respect to the isolation of the individual cylinder(s) which may be determined to be weak or non-functioning.

Abstract: A method for facilitating transfer of Human Machine Interface (HMI) files. The method includes uploading at least one HMI file via a network to a server and converting the at least one HMI file into an image file.

Abstract: A pixel sensing subsystem (110) for a solid state image sensor includes frame timing logic (114) that produces a frame timing signal indicative of an end-of-frame time and a beginning-of-frame time and reset logic (116) that produces a reset signal for a charge accumulator of pixel sensing electronics. The reset logic (116) asserts the reset signal at least once between the end-of-frame time and the beginning-of-frame time to prevent saturation of the pixel sensing element.

Abstract: Method of producing a profiled abradable coating on a substrate in which an abradable ceramic coating composition is applied to a substrate using direct-write technology, or plasma sprayed onto the substrate through a mask or by use of a narrow foot-print plasma gun. These methods of producing abradable coatings are performed in the absence of a grid.

Abstract: An article protected by a thermal barrier coating system includes a substrate having a substrate surface, and a thermal barrier coating system overlying the substrate. The thermal barrier coating system has a thermal barrier coating formed of a thermal barrier coating material arranged as a plurality of columnar grains extending generally perpendicular to the substrate surface and having grain surfaces. A sintering inhibitor is within the columnar grains, either uniformly distributed or concentrated at the grain surfaces. The sintering inhibitor is lanthanum oxide, chromium oxide, and/or yttrium chromate, mixtures thereof, or mixtures thereof with aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method for computing volumetric perfusion in a spatially stationary organ using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes positioning an area detector such that the area detector encompasses a spatially stationary organ within the field of view of the imaging system for all view angles, operating the CT imaging system in a cine mode to acquire a plurality of projection data representative of the tissue dynamics in the spatially stationary organ, processing the projection data, and computing the volumetric perfusion in the organ using the reconstructions of the projection data representative of the tissue dynamics.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to acquire high temporal resolution free-breathing cardiac MR images. The technique includes monitoring heart rate of a patient just prior to image acquisition to acquire a time period of an R—R interval, and using this time period from the heart rate monitoring to prospectively estimate future R—R intervals. The acquisition of MR data can then commence at any point in an R—R interval and extend for the time period recorded. The data acquisition can be segmented and acquired in successive R—R intervals, then combined to create high temporal resolution images.

Abstract: A method for enables a gas turbine engine to be assembled. The method comprises forming at least one substantially elliptically-shaped opening within a flange extending from a fan disk, inserting a fastener including a first body portion, a second body portion, and an anti-rotation stop extending therebetween, at least partially through the at least one flange opening, and coupling the fastener to the flange such that the fastener stop is positioned within the at least one flange opening.

Abstract: A measurement gage includes a base having two scales at opposite site ends of the base for different ranges of measurement. A tapered feeler gage elements projects axially from each of the opposite ends, and a slide bar is movable along the base, with an indicator fixed thereto for each of the two different scales. Movement of the slide bar in each of two opposite axial directions is calibrated to respective thicknesses of the tapered feeler gage elements.

Abstract: A method for coating an article such as a turbine engine shroud with an environmental or bond coating, such as a MCrAlY composition, to produce a surface finish suitable for machining to predetermined dimensions and specifications. The method of applying an environmental or bond coating uses a thermal spray process such as hyper velocity oxygen fuel (“HVOF”) to produce a thick and reasonably uniform coating which can be machined to desired dimensions while still providing key quality characteristics required to protect the coated parts in a high temperature, oxidative and corrosive atmosphere and permitting application of long life thermal barrier topcoats.

Abstract: A monolithic rotor comprising first and second rotor regions axially aligned within the monolithic rotor and a transition zone therebetween. The first and second rotor regions are formed of different alloys and the transition zone having a composition that differs from and varies between the first and second rotor regions. The first rotor region is located within a high pressure region of the monolithic rotor and is formed from an alloy chosen from the group consisting of CrMoV low alloy steels, martensitic stainless steels containing about 11 to about 14 weight percent chromium, Fe—Ni alloys, and nickel-base alloys. The second rotor region is located within a low pressure region of the monolithic rotor and is formed from an alloy chosen from the group consisting of NiCrMoV low alloy steels and martensitic stainless steels containing about 11 to about 14 weight percent chromium.