Abstract: An improved passive cooling system for an aircraft APU compartment that includes a lightweight annular air-cooled oil cooler that is strategically oriented and shrouded to face its annular inlet away axially downstream from the exhaust of the APU to make it inherently fireproof to flames from the APU or any location within the APU compartment that fuel can accumulate.

Abstract: A roaster oven for the heating of foodstuffs includes an outer housing with an opening and a heating element disposed proximate an interior surface for heating thereof. A lid, removably positioned on the outer housing to at least partially cover the opening, has a stationary portion and a hinged portion pivotably mounted thereto. The hinged portion is pivotable with respect to the stationary portion about at least one hinge. The hinged portion has an open position in which at least a portion of the interior surface is accessible and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the opening.

Abstract: A chemical biological detection system detects the presence of biological agents in the air. The system includes a pyrolyzer having an inlet through which air is drawn into the pyrolyzer and a pyrotube that collects a sample of particles extracted from the air. The pyrolyzer further includes an exhaust line that exhausts the air drawn into the pyrolyzer and a sample line that directs the gases eluted from the sample collected in the pyrotube to a mass spectrometer for sample identification. After the sample is collected in the pyrotube, the sample is analyzed. A small droplet of a methylating reagent is added to the sample. If the sample includes any biological agents, the methylating reagent derivatizes organic materials to make them more volatile. The sample is then pyrolyzed, and the eluted gas sample is drawn through the sample line and into the mass spectrometer for identification of any biological agents.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided that includes first and second turbines and a compressor. The second turbine is in fluid communication with a pack outlet. A passage fluidly connects the first turbine and the pack outlet. A valve is associated with the passages and is movable between open and closed positions. In the open position, the valve permits flow through the passageway from the first turbine directly to the pack outlet thereby bypassing the second turbine and reducing the resistance to the flow through the system. The valve is opened at higher altitudes to change the typical series fluid connection between the turbines to a parallel fluid connection. In this configuration, the air conditioning system operates more efficiently using reduced air pressure provided to the system. Another valve is also opened to permit additional reduction in the air pressure required.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided with a cooling air ram that includes both air-to-air heat exchangers, and a liquid sink heat exchanger. The liquid sink heat exchanger receives a cooling fluid that has been utilized to cool a power electronics control for an electric motor. The liquid sink heat exchanger is necessary to properly cool the power electronics control, and by including it in the same cooling air ram with the air-to-air heat exchangers, there is no need for additional ram air cooling circuits to be added to the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A fault protection system provides fault protection to a permanent magnet (PM) generator. The fault protection system includes one or more overload and short-circuit protection circuits, an unbalanced protection circuit and a thermal protection circuit. The overload and short-circuit protection circuit detects both overload and short-circuit conditions by monitoring current and voltage generated at a single phase by the PM generator. The unbalanced protection circuit monitors and compares current and voltage generated associated with at least two individual phases to determine unbalanced conditions between the phases. The thermal protection circuit detects a thermal overload condition by monitoring the temperature of the PM generator.

Abstract: An electric start system (20) includes a controller (40) that controls operation of a motor (22) used to start a device such as a gas turbine engine (24). In one example, the controller (40) determines when an acceleration rate of the motor (22) is outside of a desired range and dynamically controls the acceleration rate. In another example, the controller (40) determines when the motor (22) is disengaged from the engine (24) and controls a torque reference value to facilitate smoother reengagement. In another example, the controller (40) provides an initial starting torque value that allows for soft starting capabilities of the motor (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides within mammalian cells. The present methods are based upon the surprising discovery that ER stress in a cell leads to cholesterol/triglyceride accumulation within the cell, which cholesterol/triglyceride accumulation is often a causative factor in the development of any of a number of conditions or diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The ER stress can be the result of any of a variety of causes, including homocysteine, viral infection, and hypoxia. Accordingly, counteracting the progression or the severity of ER stress can be used to inhibit the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides in said cell, thereby preventing or lessening the severity of any of a number of cholesterol-related diseases or conditions, e.g., atherosclerosis. In addition, the presence of ER stress in a cell can be used to diagnose a cholesterol associated disease, or to predict the propensity of a mammal to develop a disease.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a flow control valve including a valve shaft, an electrical actuator comprising an actuator output shaft, and a torsion spring coupling the valve shaft and the actuator output shaft.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.

Abstract: A speed sensor includes a magnetic pickup generating a cyclical output based upon passing teeth of a rotating gear. A counter counts the number of clock pulses that are generated during a measurement period of the cyclical output. The measurement period, in terms of cycles of the cyclical output, is varied based upon the number of pulses that were counted in a previous measurement period. Thus, at lower speeds, the number of clock pulses generated during fewer cycles is counted, while at higher speeds the number of clock pulses generated during more cycles is counted.

Abstract: An inventive air conditioning system includes an air conditioning pack for receiving pressurized air and converting the pressurized air into conditioned air for an aircraft. Pressurized air is provided by a compressed air supply system that is fluidly connected to the air conditioning pack for providing air to the air conditioning pack. The compressed air system includes a compressor driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is commanded by a controller to provide pressurized air when needed. In particular, the controller commands the electric motor based upon a desired conditioned airflow that is to be provided by the air conditioning pack. For high altitude aircraft, applications, a diffuser is used to increase the efficiency of the compressor within the compressed air supply system.

Abstract: A system for controlling air flow comprises an inlet, a first compressor, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a first temperature sensor, and a first controller. The inlet is configured to direct a first stream of air into the system. The first compressor is configured to pull in the first stream of air through the inlet and compress the first stream of air. The first pressure sensor senses a first pressure of the first stream of air prior to compression in the first compressor, the second pressure sensor senses a second pressure of the first stream of air after compression in the first compressor, and the first temperature sensor senses a temperature of the first stream of air after compression in the first compressor. The controller adjusts a speed of the first compressor based upon a comparison between a desired flow rate and a calculated flow rate.

Abstract: A lid for a bowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or large volume of foodstuff including a top lid wall and a feed tube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tube including an inner feed surface defining a feed cavity and a mouth for accessing the feed cavity. A feed tube lid is movably secured to the mouth of the feed tube. A food pusher is movably mounted to the feed tube lid. The food pusher and feed tube lid cover the mouth of the feed tube when the feed tube lid and food pusher are in a working position. The food pusher is movable relative to the feed tube in first and second directions in the working position. The first direction is generally parallel to the feed axis and the second direction is generally perpendicular to the feed axis.

Abstract: Information requested by a client is intercepted by a network server, which sends the request to the requested information source. The requested information is received and examined by the server to determine if the information is HTML format. If so, the server modifies the requested information by inserting format and request instructions then sends same to the client computer. The client uses the format and request instructions to send a request for supplemental information from a supplemental information source. The associated supplemental information is sent from the supplemental information source to the network client. The format instructions cause the requested information and supplemental information to be displayed in respective first and second display areas.

Abstract: A permanent magnet generator voltage regulation system controls the output voltage of a permanent magnet generator. The output voltage of the permanent magnet generator is controlled by configuring the electrical connection of the stator coils. A monitoring device monitors the output voltage generated by the PMG, and a controller selectively configures the stator coil configuration based on the monitored output voltage. A switch array having a number of switches is connected to the stator coils, the switches being controlled by the controller to configure the electrical connection of the stator coils. For instance, to maximize output voltage generated by the PMG, the controller causes the switch array to connect the stator coils in series with one another. To reduce the output voltage, the controller causes the switch array to connect at least some of the stator coils in parallel with one another. In this way, the output voltage of the permanent magnet generator can be coarsely controlled.

Abstract: A crop production apparatus including a flexible sheet of non-degradable or biodegradable material and a seed impregnated or carrying lower layer formed from a water-absorbent biodegradable material bonded or otherwise attached to the upper layer and removable therefrom.