Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated enviromental control system for an aircraft. The system uses bleed air from a propulsion engine to drive an air turbine which provides power to at least one aircraft component such as an aircraft mounted accessory drive. The system uses the bleed air exiting the air turbine as an air source for the cabin and/or flight deck enviromental control system.

Abstract: A food processor for processing foodstuffs including a housing having a motor covering a base. The food processor further including a driveshaft, a bowl, a lid and a first tool. The driveshaft protrudes from the base and includes a first end proximate the base and a second end distal therefrom. The bowl is removably securable to the base. The lid is removably securable to the bowl creating a processing chamber between inner surfaces of the bowl and the lid. The first tool is rotatably securable to the driveshaft adjacent the first end in a first operating mode and is rotatably securable to the driveshaft adjacent the second end in a second operating mode. The food processor further includes a disk that is rotatably securable adjacent the second end creating a sub-processing chamber between the first surface and the inner surfaces in the second operating mode.

Abstract: A support structure for a C-ring includes a pair of circumferentially spaced holding members on catch plates. The holding members may be moved individually into the C-ring after the C-ring is mounted within an outer housing. The two holding members thus provide support to an inner periphery of the C-ring. A locking plate has support structure moved between circumferential ends of the housing members, thus providing effective support for the C-ring around its entire inner periphery. In this way, the two parts secured by the C-ring need not be moved relative to each other to insert the C-ring. The clearance or ability to move one of the two parts relative to the other which has been required in the past to mount a C-ring, is not necessary. This makes the inventive C-ring particularly useful for new applications, such as holding a porting sleeve within a valve housing.

Abstract: A propeller control system provides for actuation through supply pressure only. A transfer bearing thereby requires only a single land. The supply pressure is metered at a pitch change valve within the rotating propeller shaft downstream of the transfer bearing to provide hydraulic pressure for actuation and control. A feather override mode is provided by energizing a feathering solenoid. The increased supply pressure changes the hydraulic force balance of the pitch change valve to allow the increased supply pressure into a Coarse Pitch chamber and simultaneously allow fluid within the Fine Pitch chamber to flow to drain pressure. The flow to drain changes the hydraulic balance on the Pitch Change Actuator Piston to drive a pitch link attached to each propeller blade and thereby change the pitch thereof towards coarse pitch.

Abstract: An appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) cord set for powering an appliance includes an ALCI plug having a housing, an ALCI circuit disposed within the housing and two partially exposed contact blades coupled to an input of the ALCI circuit. The contact blades are configured to connect to an electrical receptacle. The ALCI cord set also includes a power cord and a nightlight. The power cord has a generally insulative jacket and two electrical conductors each having a first end electrically coupled to an output of the ALCI circuit and a second end electrically coupled to the appliance. The nightlight is mounted on an exterior of the housing of the ALCI plug. The nightlight is electrically coupled to the output of the ALCI circuit and is illuminated when the ALCI circuit is not tripped.

Abstract: A no break power transfer system that is particularly useful onboard an aircraft ensures that there is an appropriate frequency match between the outputs of different power supplies. A frequency adjuster between an auxiliary power unit and a load alters the frequency of power available from the auxiliary power unit before that power is supplied to the load. In one example, a controller determines when the frequency of output power from the main power supply does not match that from the auxiliary power unit. The controller controls the frequency adjuster to make an appropriate frequency change until there is a sufficient match. In one example, the frequency adjuster includes a rectifier that converts an alternating current output of the auxiliary power unit to a direct current output that is then converted by an inverter to provide an alternating current output having the appropriate frequency.

Abstract: An assembly for removing carbon dioxide and water from a flow stream includes a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet. A CO2 sorbent sheet is disposed within the housing and includes integrally formed airflow passages and support structures. The CO2 sorbent sheet is encapsulated within a porous metal that is dimensionally stable and increases the rigidity and durability of the CO2 sorbent sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated air turbine driving system for providing aircraft environmental control. The system has at least one air driven turbine for providing power to an aircraft mounted accessory drive and for providing heated air to an aircraft anti-ice system. The system further has a subsystem for supplying cooled pressurized air to a flight deck and/or cabin and to aircraft avionics. Still further, the subsystem provides cooling air to other aircraft components such as a generator and/or an aircraft mounted accessory drive.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a housing, a fan assembly, a wick assembly, a first humidity sensor, a second humidity sensor, and a controller. The housing has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a reservoir for holding water. The fan assembly creates an airflow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The wick assembly is in fluid communication with the water in the reservoir and extends into the airflow within the housing for adding moisture to the airflow. The first humidity sensor measures an ambient air relative humidity and produces a first signal corresponding to the ambient air relative humidity. The second humidity sensor measures an outlet air humidity and produces a second signal corresponding to the outlet air humidity. The controller is in electrical communication with the first and second humidity sensors. The controller receives the first and second signals and performs calculations to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A toaster including a housing with a toasting compartment, a heater located in the housing, a food cage movably supported in the toasting compartment for movement between a gripping position and a receiving position and a carriage movably supported in the housing. The carriage is permitted movement between a toasting position adjacent a lower portion of the toasting compartment and a loading position adjacent an upper portion of the toasting compartment. The carriage may receive and support a food item to be toasted in the loading position. The food cage is positioned in the receiving position when the carriage is positioned in the loading position and is positioned in the gripping position when the carriage is positioned in the toasting position. The food cage is urged toward the gripping position by gravitational forces as the carriage moves toward the toasting position.

Abstract: The subject invention is a valve for regulating the viscosity of fluid. The valve includes a housing defining a bore having a first inlet supplying “cold” hydraulic fluid at a first viscosity and a second inlet supplying “hot” hydraulic fluid at a second viscosity. A spool valve disposed within the bore has at least one land to proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid through the inlets. Hydraulic fluid from the first and second inlets mixes within the valve and exits the valve through an outlet at an optimum viscosity. A flow restrictor creates a pressure force on the spool valve that is proportional to the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid flowing through the outlet.

Abstract: A fuel supply control system for a gas turbine includes a plurality of solenoid valves. The solenoid valves are energized in a timing sequence with a phase relationship designed to achieve a desired fuel flow. In one example, one solenoid valve is associated with a primary portion of a fuel manifold while at least two other solenoids are associated with a secondary portion of the manifold. A controller that energizes the solenoids to achieve the desired fuel flow can receive feedback information regarding turbine performance to make adjustments to the solenoid operation to bring the turbine performance closer to a desired level.

Abstract: An analyzing probe for insertion into numerous different environments to determine at least one characteristic of particulate matter suspended in a fluid stream of a test sample. Preferably, the analyzing probe includes a minimal amount of optical elements such as lenses that are subjected to the conditions of the environment of the fluid stream to be tested. Further, the analyzing probe is preferably designed so that it can be readily manufactured, operated and installed by relatively unskilled laborers.

Abstract: An odor-reducing water display system includes a reservoir, a pump for removing water from the reservoir, a conduit in fluid communication with the pump for returning the removed water to the reservoir, and a germicidal light source positioned for directing radiant energy toward the water to thereby reduce microbes and their accompanying odor that may be present in the water.

Abstract: A trigger, for use with a port through which a flow of particulate solid material selectively passes, is disclosed and comprises a sensor and a trigger body having a first position and a second position. The trigger body is biased for movement to said first position; defines a threshold level of said particulate; is adapted to be positioned, in use, beneath said port so as be impinged upon by said flow when at its first position and moved by said flow to its second position; and is adapted, upon accumulation of said particulate beneath said port beyond the threshold level, to be restrained as against movement to said first position by said particulate until such time as the particulate recedes to said threshold level. The sensor produces a signal responsive to movement of the trigger body to its first position. Particulate handling apparatus including the trigger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flight control surface actuation system has a plurality of actuators attached to one or more summing levers. Each summing lever has an actuator output point that is attached to the flight control surface. The summing lever position corresponds with a sum of the positions of the actuators attached to it. If one of the actuators jams and becomes immovable, other actuators attached to the same summing lever as the malfunctioning actuator compensates for the malfunctioning actuator to bring the flight control surface to a neutral position. The summing lever makes it possible for flight control surface actuation systems to use actuators other than actuators having a bypass mode or any other features that prevent the actuators from jamming.

Abstract: An APU system provides an APU which drives a permanent magnet generator, an APU controller and a fuel controller. The APU controller controls the APU speed through communication with the fuel controller to maintain the generator voltage output within specified limits in response to an engine speed set point signal, a voltage set point signal and a voltage output signal.

Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator (PMA) includes a stator which rotates with a propeller shaft and a rotor which is mounted within the stator and rotates with a gas turbine engine output shaft. The rotor is driven at the relatively high speed of the turbine output shaft while the stator is driven at a relatively slow speed of the propeller shaft as reduced by an in-line gearbox. The great difference in speed between the propeller shaft and the turbine output shaft results in a compact PMA which provides significant electrical power output. As the stator of the PMA rotates with the propeller shaft, power is supplied directly to the rotating hub and blades without the heretofore necessary slip ring and associated electrical transmission components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing abrasion on an infant's nose and adjacent areas when used in conjunction with respiratory administration devices.