Abstract: An ordering system for upload ordering over the internet comprises a file server for receiving an upload order, an application server programmed to receive the upload order from the file server and a database server programmed to store details of customers authorized to produce upload orders. The application server is programmed to check the customer's authority to provide an upload order, to check the order details against the customer details in the database server and, if correct, pass on the order to the supplier.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for acquiring images with water and lipid separation using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising applying a plurality of steady-state free precession (SSFP) radio-frequency (RF) excitation pulses having respective amplitudes that correspond substantially to a binomial distribution to discriminate lipids from water.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an aircraft gas turbine engine that includes a thrust augmentation system. An augmentor fuel pump is arranged to provide pressurized fuel to an exhaust nozzle throat area actuation system to eliminate the need for a separate hydraulic pump to provide pressurized fluid for exhaust nozzle actuation. An augmentor fuel bypass arrangement is provided to enable the augmentor fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel to the main fuel pressurizing valve and to components operated by the main fuel system in the event of failure of the main fuel pump. The augmentor fuel pump pressure and output flow are controlled as a function of thrust augmentation demand and main fuel system operation. The system provides redundancy by enabling either the main fuel system or the augmentor fuel system to maintain engine operation if one of the fuel systems fails or provides inadequate fuel flow.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a circuit breaker operating mechanism includes a primary latch with a cross bar and a first pair of elongated leg members flexibly mounted to the cross bar. A secondary latch is pivotally mountable to the circuit breaker operating mechanism, with the first pair of elongated leg members being in removable engagement with the secondary latch. In one embodiment, the cross bar is flexible and deflects at a point along a longitudinal axis thereof. In another embodiment, the cross bar is flexible and twists about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Scintillator compositions useful for the detection of high-energy radiation, such as X, &bgr;, or &ggr; radiation, contain alkali and rare earth pyrotungstates. In particular, the pyrotungstate is a double tungstate containing an oxide of an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, and Cs and an oxide of a rare-earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Gd, La, and Lu. The scintillators are characterized by high light output, reduced afterglow, short decay time, and high X-ray stopping power.

Abstract: A wound field synchronous machine control system comprises: an auxiliary winding for obtaining auxiliary AC voltage from the wound field synchronous machine; a phase controlled rectifier for rectifying the auxiliary AC voltage and supplying rectified DC voltage to the wound field synchronous machine; and a controller. The controller is configured for using a voltage signal across the auxiliary winding to obtain volt-second values of the auxiliary winding and using the volt-second values for firing angle control of switches of the phase controlled rectifier. Alternatively or additionally, the controller is configured for obtaining airgap flux values of the wound field synchronous machine and using the airgap flux values for firing angle control of switches of the phase controlled rectifier.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC) for a component intended for use in a hostile environment, such as the superalloy turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The TBC is formed of zirconia that is partially stabilized with yttria (YSZ), preferably not more than 3 weight percent yttria, and to which one or more additional metal oxides are alloyed to increase crystallographic defects and lattice strains in the TBC grains and/or form precipitates of zirconia and/or compound(s) of zirconia and/or yttria and the additional metal oxide(s), the inclusion of which reduces the thermal conductivity of the YSZ to levels lower than conventional 6-8% YSZ. Improvements are particularly contemplated for TBC having a columnar grain structure, such as those deposited by EBPVD and other PVD techniques.

Abstract: A method of cleaning gas turbine compressors using crushed, solid, sublimable material, such as dry ice, which can be used in during low temperature conditions, poses no risk of ice formation, clogging cooling hole passages, or degrading the emissions from the turbine.

Abstract: An airfoil having a melting temperature of at least about 1500° C. and comprising a first piece and a second piece joined by a braze to the first piece. The first piece comprises one of a first niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a first-based refractory metal intermetallic composite, and the second piece comprises one of a second niobium-based refractory metal intermetallic composite and a second molybdenum-based refractory metal intermetallic composite. The braze joining the first piece to the second piece is a semi-solid braze that comprises a first component and a second component.

Abstract: Polyester molding compositions, which have improved crystallization and processing, a cycloaliphatic polyester component, and a nucleating agent comprising a fluoropolymer containing a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Methods for cutting a labyrinth seal in a nuclear reactor jet pump assembly are described. In one embodiment, the method includes removing an irradiated jet pump inlet mixer from the jet pump assembly, positioning the jet pump inlet mixer underwater, and cutting at least one circumferential groove in an inlet mixer outside surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring local heat transfer distribution of an object surface. The apparatus includes a heater element for providing heat flux, a member disposed on a surface of the heater element for receiving impinging cooling air. A liquid crystal element is provided on a side of the heater element remote from the surface, and an insulating material is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal element and remote from the heater element. The apparatus further includes means for determining heat transfer distribution coefficients from the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing metallic flake having an environmental coating for use in oxidative and corrosive atmospheres. Fluidized bed techniques are utilized to perform a controlled oxidation of metallic particles that include aluminum. The fluidized techniques permit the formation of a thin, outer shell of alumina over the outer surface of the flake. Because the oxidation is controlled so that the selective oxidation produces a thin outer shell, the particle has good reflectance and the metallic core of the particle is unaffected by the oxidizing treatment. Although the techniques of the present invention are effective for producing a reflective surface on aluminum-containing iron alloys while the core particles can be either magnetically soft or hard, the techniques can be used to produce a reflective surface that is corrosion and oxidation resistant on any aluminum containing alloy. Apparatus that facilitates the controlled oxidation is also set forth.

Abstract: A seal is provided at the intersegments of hydrogen seal rings for preventing oil leakage through this potential gap between the seal ring segments. By minimizing leakage through the gaps between the open rings, hydrogen consumption in hydrogen-cooled generators due to leakage oil is reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the seal is provided by a brush seal secured to one of the seal ring segments and received in a slot defined in the other of the seal ring segments.

Abstract: The invention is related to a reflector lamp comprising a parabolic primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric secondary reflecting section joined to the primary reflecting section, a parabolic or spheric tertiary reflecting section joined to the secondary reflecting section, and an incandescent or discharge light source. The secondary and tertiary reflecting sections have faceted surfaces which longitudinally extend along the surface thereof so that most (at least 50%) or substantially all the light reflected by the faceted surfaces avoids the light source and thus the light, which would be absorbed or scattered by the light source, is minimized or substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resiliently mounting a photomultiplier tube. The tube is sequentially tapped to move a debris particle therein. The tube is initially inclined for moving the particle to a staging site. The tube may then be re-oriented horizontally for moving the debris particle from the staging site to a target site for subsequent laser blasting thereof.

Abstract: A drill having a cutting edge that is less prone to chipping or fracturing when used in drilling operations, and that can be sharpened or resharpened uniformly and consistently from drill to drill by machine grinding. The drill comprises a body and at least one flute formed in the body that terminates in a cutting edge at the cutting end of the drill. The flute has a cutting surface, the cutting surface having formed therein a dub face having a substantially planar surface over at least a portion thereof that is proximate to the cutting edge. The cutting edge has formed therein a cutting land having a substantially planar surface over at least a portion thereof connected at an edge to the planar surface portion of the dub face.

Abstract: A steam-generation management system remotely measures amounts of utility used by steam-generating systems; monitors and compares their performance against benchmarked performance; analyzes and determines causes for variances in their performance; and recommends to the steam user actions for achieving optimum operation. The steam-generation management also permits remote access and interaction by the user and allows for integrating steam-related information into an overall strategy for managing steam and energy supply.

Abstract: A process for installing a stator slide under a stator wedge in a radially oriented slot of a stator core assembly includes: a) loading windings in the radial slot, the radial slot having axially extending dovetail grooves in opposing sidewalls thereof; b) loading at least one stator wedge and stator slide in the dovetail grooves of the slot, and tightening the at least one stator wedge with the stator slide; c) loading at least one additional stator wedge in the dovetail grooves; d) locating at least one additional stator wedge slide relatively loosely under the additional stator wedge: and e) using the at least one stator wedge as a force reaction point, applying a force to the additional stator slide to drive the additional stator slide under the additional stator wedge.