Abstract: A static series voltage regulator (SSVR) for an electric power distribution system protects a load on a feeder branch from voltage dips by boosting voltage under certain conditions. The SSVR contains a 3-phase voltage source inverter and a source bridge, fed from a source, supplying the dc side of the inverter. A series transformer is connected between the power source and a load coupling the inverter output to appear between the power source and the load. A surge filter connected in parallel with the series transformer protects the load from fast front voltage pulses produced by the inverter, and isolation and bypass switches isolate the inverter and series transformer from the power source and load. The inverter is controlled so that during normal operation it acts as a short on the series transformer, and, during a fault that causes a dip in the source voltage, it injects voltage in series with the source voltage to provide a boost action to maintain load voltage at a desired magnitude and balance.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of controlling fuel injection timing in a compression ignition engine including at least one cylinder. The method includes monitoring engine throttle position and change. One of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode is detected in response to the monitoring of throttle position and change. Fuel injection timing for the at least one cylinder is controlled in accordance with a predetermined timing schedule in response to the detection of one of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting cell to cell variation to ensure that the maximum allowable channel to channel variation is not exceeded are described. In one embodiment, an algorithm is periodically executed to measure the relative gains in the channels. The gains are measured, for example, by recording the signal from an air scan and normalizing to a common reference. Part of the normalization process includes accounting for the non uniformity of the x-ray beam, for example, the heel effect. It is assumed that the x-ray flux profile in z is slowly changing in the x-direction and is obtained by low pass filtering in x. The normalized values are then compared to a predetermined specification. If any particular cell is not within the specification parameters, then the module in which such cell resides may be replaced. In addition to measuring gain variation and comparing it to a specification, a trending analysis also may be performed.

Abstract: A clapper armature system for a circuit breaker includes a heater having a heater element and a pair of electrical conductors. The heater element is electrically connected to and disposed between the conductors. The conductors are spaced from the heater element to provide a pair of slots between the conductors and the heater element. A heat sensitive strip having one end electrically connected to at least one conductor is disposed proximate the heater element. A yoke has a pair of arms with each arm passing through a respective slot of the heater. The heater element and heat sensitive strip are disposed between the arms and provide a plurality of current paths between the arms. A clapper is disposed pivotally proximate the arms. The clapper pivots to the arms of the yoke to open a pair of separable contacts of the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined current passing through the heater and heat sensitive strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing laser weld repair of complex titanium-base material parts for gas turbine engines. The complex arts, typically compressor blisk airfoil assemblies are enclosed in a local dry box and purged in an inert gas atmosphere. Laser weld repairs are accomplished within this dry box by using a coaxial nozzle and a mixture of helium and argon. The welding is accomplished by maintaining a proper standoff between the weld nozzle and the weld. The welding is monitored and controlled from a remote location using in a video camera system. Copper shielding is provided within the dry box to protect areas adjacent to the weld area from overheating and weld spatter.

Abstract: A method for remotely configuring and servicing a field replaceable unit associated with a medical diagnostic system includes establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility, communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the field replaceable unit to the remote facility, communicating configuration information from the remote facility to the medical diagnostic system, and configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the configuration information from the remote facility. A corresponding apparatus includes a memory unit configured to store identification indicia associated with the field replaceable unit and a communication interface configured to communicate identification information from the identification indicia to a remote facility via a network.

Abstract: A control system for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered by a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS) is provided. The control system comprises an energy storage device (ESD); a power interface unit coupled to selectively and bi-directionally pass power between the energy storage device and the power bus; and a controller coupled to the power bus to receive one or more signals indicative of the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system. The controller may be configured so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system drops below a (FCS) power command signal.

Abstract: A compressor air bleed assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a compressor casing surrounding a row of circumferentially spaced compressor blades and defining a flowpath for receiving compressor air flow compressed by the blades. The casing includes a bleed port disposed down stream of at least a row of the blades for receiving a portion of compressed air as bleed airflow. A bleed port, preferably in the form of an annular slot, extends away from the bleed port and has a first throat downstream of the port and a second throat downstream of the first throat. A first duct outlet in the duct leads to a first bleed air circuit, receives a first portion of the bleed airflow, and is disposed between the first and second throats. A second duct outlet in the duct leads to a second bleed air circuit, receives a second portion of the bleed circuit.

Abstract: A process for forming a diffusion aluminide coating on an article, such as a component for a gas turbine engine. The process is a vapor phase process that generally entails placing the article in a coating chamber containing an aluminum donor material, without any halide carrier or inert filler present. The aluminum donor material consists essentially of about 20 to about 70 weight percent aluminum, with the balance being chromium or cobalt. While the article is held out of contact with the donor material, coating is initiated in an inert or reducing atmosphere by heating the article and the donor material to vaporize the aluminum constituent of the donor material, which then condenses on the surface of the article and diffuses into the surface to form a diffusion aluminide coating on the article.

Abstract: A diaphragm support bar for a turbine diaphragm comprising a vertical body portion having a support flange extending substantially perpendicularly from an upper end of the vertical body portion and adapted to be supported on a turbine shell component; and a dovetail extending substantially perpendicularly from a lower end of the vertical body portion and adapted to be received within a matching dovetail slot in the diaphragm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibration simplification in a computed tomography (CT) system are described. In one embodiment, the CT system utilizes calibration values from a first scan type, or mode of operation, to determine calibration values for at least a second scan type. As a result, the time required to perform calibration of the CT system is reduced.

Abstract: High in-flight vibrations in turbofan gas turbine engines are prevented at windmilling speeds after a blade-out induced structural decoupling of the fan assembly by providing a fan assembly support system with a damper assembly that dissipates vibration energy and retunes the natural frequency of the fan assembly to be above windmilling speeds. The support system includes primary and secondary bearing supports separately secured to the fan frame and a bearing disposed between the primary bearing support and the fan assembly. The damper assembly includes a journal formed on the primary bearing support and a bumper ring attached to the secondary bearing support in surrounding relationship with the journal.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes at least one work station having an electrode fixedly mounted to a base and a workpiece fixture slidingly mounted to the base above the electrode. A servomotor is mounted to the base and arranged to drive the workpiece fixture toward and away from the workpiece. Preferably, the EDM apparatus will include a number of such work stations, and each work station will be connected to a separate control system for independently controlling and energizing the work station.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine hollow turbine airfoil, such as a first stage vane of a high pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine includes an outer wall surrounding a hollow interior. The outer wall extends radially outwardly in a spanwise direction from an airfoil base to an airfoil tip and has chordwise spaced apart leading and trailing edges and widthwise spaced apart pressure and suction side portions extending chordwise between the leading edge and a trailing edge block which terminates at the trailing edge. A plurality of trailing edge cooling air ducts extend chordwise through the trailing edge block aftwardly from the hollow interior and a plurality of trailing edge film cooling holes extend from the ducts through the trailing edge block. The cooling air ducts are preferably centered near a neutral axis of chordwise and spanwise bending of the trailing edge block.

Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact arm is used within a plurality of single pole circuit breakers ganged together to form a single multi-pole circuit breaker. To provide uniform contact wear among the associated circuit breaker contacts, the rotor carrying the rotary contact arm pivot is slotted to automatically position the rotary contact arm to allow for changes in the contact geometry while maintaining constant contact compressive forces. The individual circuit breakers connect with the central operation mechanism by means of a single pin.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of organooxysilanes containing at least one silicon-carbon bond is provided which comprises reacting at least one tetraorganooxysilane with at least one transition metal organo compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a volumetric computed tomography (CT) scanning system. In accordance with the present invention, the volumetric CT scanning system utilizes an area detector to acquire projection data. The acquired projection data is stored in memory. The projection data corresponding to groups of pixels of the detector is then rebinned to thereby reduce the amount of projection data that will be utilized in performing an initial volumetric reconstruction of the image. The reconstructed image may then be processed to identify particular regions of interest, such as a pathology. If a particular region of interest is identified, all of the projection data corresponding to the region is then used to retrospectively reconstruct a high resolution image of the region of interest. The retrospectively reconstructed high resolution image can then be processed and analyzed to further evaluate the region of interest.

Abstract: A stab assembly (41) in which a spring clip (24) and a conductor member (16) define a pair of engagement surfaces for engaging a stab blade (12). The conductor member (16) has an opening (34) to allow for the insertion of an extended surface of the spring clip (24). Once in position, the spring clip (24) and conductor member (16) are frictionally engaged and define a channel (126) that will accept and hold a stab blade (12). The stab assembly (14) is retained within a molded case circuit breaker (10) and provides electrical contact between a bus bar and the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for the oxidation of aromatic substrates in the presence of oxygen, a catalyst, a proton source, and a non-gaseous reductant. In a preferred embodiment, benzene is oxidized to phenol in the presence of oxygen, a vanadyl catalyst, trifluoroacetic acid as a proton source, and ferrocene as a reductant. The method is economical, safe, and amenable to commercial scale-up.

Abstract: A stray field electrode (1) includes a base material (2) and a conductive filler material (3). The base material is preferably an insulating material, such as a silicone elastomer film. The conductive filler material is preferably a metal, such as silver particles dispersed in the silicone elastomer film. A set of stray field electrodes (16, 17, 18) may be used to determine the presence of water in a material (8), such as electrical generator insulation (14), by comparing a phase angle for the electric field (19, 20) between the electrodes with a predetermined phase angle for a dry material (8).