Abstract: A panel which may be used as a part of a surface covering system, such as that for a wall or a ceiling, and which is useful to provide easy installation, durability, beneficial fire preventive performance, resistance to mold growth, and resistance to moisture. The panels may have a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a side surface extending between the first and second major surfaces. The panel may be formed from polyvinyl chloride present in an amount from about 45 to about 70 wt. %; carbonate present in an amount from about 10 to about 31 wt. %; stearate present in an amount from about 1 to about 6 wt. %; and aluminum hydroxide present in an amount from about 10 to about 30 wt. %.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: an outer housing having an outer housing gas inlet and an outer housing gas outlet for receiving a flow of gas; and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing such that a gas flow passage is defined through the gas sensor between the inner housing and the outer housing to allow gas to enter the outer housing gas inlet and exit the outer housing gas outlet. The inner housing is provided with an inner housing gas inlet and an inner housing gas outlet each in fluid communication with the gas flow passage. The inner housing gas inlet and inner housing gas outlet are positioned relative to the gas flow passage such that when gas flows through the gas flow passage there is a pressure gradient across the inner housing gas inlet and inner housing gas outlet which causes gas to pass through the inner housing.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a main elongate gas chamber with a supply opening arranged on a first end of the main gas chamber and a discharge opening positioned opposite the supply opening and arranged on a second end of the main gas chamber, to permit gas to flow through the main gas chamber; a magnetic field device providing a magnetic field in the main gas chamber; and an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver sensor arranged on either the first or second end of the main elongate gas chamber for directing an ultrasonic wave along a longitudinal axis of the main elongate gas chamber, an opposite end of the main elongate gas chamber being reflective for an ultrasonic wave, or an ultrasonic transmitter sensor arranged on a first end of the main elongate gas chamber and an ultrasonic receiver sensor arranged on a second end of the main elongate gas chamber.

Abstract: A jet pump may include a body that may include an inlet portion having a motive port and a first induce port, a throat, a tapered wall connecting the inlet portion with the throat, a discharge port, and a diffuser connecting the throat and the discharge port. The tapered wall may include a converging angle of about 5 degrees.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: an outer housing having an outer housing gas inlet and an outer housing gas outlet for receiving a flow of gas; and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing such that a gas flow passage is defined through the gas sensor between the inner housing and the outer housing to allow gas to enter the outer housing gas inlet and exit the outer housing gas outlet. The inner housing is provided with an inner housing gas inlet and an inner housing gas outlet each in fluid communication with the gas flow passage. The inner housing gas inlet and inner housing gas outlet are positioned relative to the gas flow passage such that when gas flows through the gas flow passage there is a pressure gradient across the inner housing gas inlet and inner housing gas outlet which causes gas to pass through the inner housing.

Abstract: A fuel boost pump assembly for an aircraft includes a first inlet for receiving a first pressurized fuel flow, a second inlet, an assembly outlet, a pump for transferring fuel between the second inlet and the assembly outlet, and a hydraulic motor adapted to drive the pump. The hydraulic motor is fluidly connected between the first inlet and the assembly outlet, and is mechanically coupled to the pump. Further, in use, the hydraulic motor converts hydraulic energy of the first pressurized fuel flow into driving energy of the pump such that the pump generates a second pressurized fuel flow between the second inlet and the assembly outlet.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank inerting system includes an inlet, an oxygen absorption unit, and a vent to discharge oxygen from the system. The inlet may be configured to be in fluid communication with a ullage of a fuel tank. In embodiments, the oxygen absorption unit is in communication with the inlet and includes a chamber, a temperature reversible oxygen absorption medium within said chamber, and a temperature controller for selectively heating or cooling the medium. The reversible oxygen absorption medium may be a medium which absorbs oxygen by chemisorption.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a main elongate gas chamber with a supply opening arranged on a first end of the main gas chamber and a discharge opening positioned opposite the supply opening and arranged on a second end of the main gas chamber, to permit gas to flow through the main gas chamber; a magnetic field device providing a magnetic field in the main gas chamber; and an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver sensor arranged on either the first or second end of the main elongate gas chamber for directing an ultrasonic wave along a longitudinal axis of the main elongate gas chamber, an opposite end of the main elongate gas chamber being reflective for an ultrasonic wave, or an ultrasonic transmitter sensor arranged on a first end of the main elongate gas chamber and an ultrasonic receiver sensor arranged on a second end of the main elongate gas chamber.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a gas chamber with a supply opening and a discharge opening, so as to permit gas to flow through the gas chamber; a magnetic field device for providing a magnetic field in the gas chamber; a light source for generating a light beam that extends through the gas chamber; and a detector for detecting the light beam, which detector is arranged opposite the light source.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank inerting system includes an inlet, an oxygen absorption unit, and a vent to discharge oxygen from the system. The inlet may be configured to be in fluid communication with a ullage of a fuel tank. In embodiments, the oxygen absorption unit is in communication with the inlet and includes a chamber, a temperature reversible oxygen absorption medium within said chamber, and a temperature controller for selectively heating or cooling the medium. The reversible oxygen absorption medium may be a medium which absorbs oxygen by chemisorption.

Abstract: An on board inert gas generation system for use in an aircraft having a source of low pressure air includes a variable speed rotary positive displacement compressor with an inlet that receives a first portion of the low pressure air and an outlet in flow communication with an air separation module; a turbine that receives a second portion of the low pressure air to extract energy to drive the compressor; a heat exchanger in a flow path between the compressor and the air separation module, the heat exchanger including a heating pass and a cooling pass, such that compressed air from the compressor is passed along the cooling pass to reduce a temperature of the compressed air supplied to the air separation module; and a duct for supplying cool ram air to the heating pass of the heat exchanger. The compressor provides variable air flow to the air separation module.

Abstract: An on board inert gas generation system receives cabin air, or air from another relatively low pressure source, passing a portion thereof through an energy recovery turbine to ambient to extract power which is used to provide all, or part of, the energy required to drive a positive displacement compressor to compress another portion of cabin air to increase the pressure thereof to be suitable for supply to an air separation module.

Abstract: An on board inert gas generation system receives cabin air, or air from another relatively low pressure source, passing a portion thereof through an energy recovery turbine to ambient to extract power which is used to provide all, or part of the energy required to drive a positive displacement compressor to co press another portion of cabin air to increase the pressure thereof to be suitable for supply to an air separation module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a standard earth-boring rock bit or a hybrid-type rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter, particularly a hybrid rock bit cutter, beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction.

Abstract: An inerting system for an aircraft fuel tank (10) uses an air separation device (12) to produce a supply of nitrogen-enriched air to replenish the fuel tank on consumption of fuel and to maintain the pressure difference across the walls of the tank (10) below design limits. The air separation device (12) provides substantially the whole of the mass of the gas required and so there is substantially no inward venting. This provides a substantially homogenous nitrogen content in the air in the tank (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a standard earth-boring rock bit or a hybrid-type rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter, particularly a hybrid rock bit cutter, beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits, is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits, is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inerting system for an aircraft fuel tank (10) uses an air separation device (12) to produce a supply of nitrogen-enriched air to replenish the fuel tank on consumption of fuel and to maintain the pressure difference across the walls of the tank (10) below design limits. The air separation device (12) provides substantially the whole of the mass of the gas required and so there is substantially no inward venting. This provides a substantially homogenous nitrogen content in the air in the tank (10).

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits, is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.