Abstract: A detector for detecting the removal and/or insertion of a weapon out of and/or into a holster. The detector may transmit a message each time the weapon is removed from the holster. A recording system may receive the message and determine whether or not it will begin recording the data it captures. A detector may detect the change in a magnitude of an inductance and/or an impedance of a circuit to detect insertion and removal of the weapon into and out of the holster. The holster is configured to couple to the detector to position the detector to detect insertion and removal of the weapon. An adhesive tape may couple a detector to a holster.

Abstract: A modified isogrid panel including face sheets and underlying longitudinal and transverse ribs which stiffen the panel. The ribs are hollow to provide fluid channels for distributing fluid to various sections of each face sheet. A valve at each node where ribs intersect controls or reroutes fluid flow through the fluid channels in the ribs. The ribs are the primary fluid distributors and are fluidly connected to capillary channels located beneath the surface of each face sheet.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a grid-stiffened panel which incorporates a network of fluid channels and passageways into the ribs and face sheet is described. The method is comprised of a base tooling assembly, an expansion tooling assembly, a composite prepreg, plugs, a face sheet and a network of valves and pumps, wherein the prepreg is draped over said expansion tooling and assembled with the base tooling assembly to form a rib structure. Channel plugs are placed therein such that gaps between adjacent expansion tooling blocks are filled, and the entire rib structure assembly is autoclaved. The face sheet may be comprised of a plurality of layers, whereby channels are machined into the lower layer(s). The upper layer(s) are bonded to the lower layer(s) to seal the channels, and said face sheet is bonded to the rib structure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a turbomachinery blade having an airfoil connected to a platform in a root region of the turbomachinery blade. The airfoil has a trailing edge extending from the root region to a tip distal from the root region. The method further includes forming a blind relief hole in the platform proximate the trailing edge of the airfoil, and forming a plurality of cooling holes in the platform.

Abstract: Methods of to maintaining turbine discs prone to cracks in bucket attachment dovetails are disclosed. In one embodiment, wherein a turbine disc comprises a plurality of bucket attachment dovetail regions, one or more of the bucket attachment dovetail regions comprises a cooling slot, and each cooling slot comprises edges and adjacent surfaces, a method comprises inspecting the one or more of the bucket attachment dovetail regions comprising a cooling slot to confirm that each bucket attachment dovetail region meets predetermined minimum standards. The method further comprises blending the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises polishing the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises peening the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises coating the edges and adjacent surfaces of at least one of the cooling slots.

Abstract: A turbomachinery blade having a relief hole in its platform and a method of limiting the formation and/or propagation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade are provided. The relief hole may be formed in the concave side of the platform proximate the trailing edge along its mean camber line. The relief hole may be circular in cross-section and is blind, i.e., does not exit on any other face of the platform. The relief hole prevents the formation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade and also slows the propagation of any cracks which may have formed in this region of the blade.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a turbomachinery blade having an airfoil connected to a platform in a root region of the turbomachinery blade. The airfoil has a trailing edge extending from the root region to a tip distal from the root region. The method further includes forming a blind relief hole in the platform proximate the trailing edge of the airfoil, and forming a plurality of cooling holes in the platform.

Abstract: A turbine blade having a plurality of cooling holes which extend from an outside edge of the platform to a cooling passage formed within the turbine blade and a method of limiting the formation of cracks in the platform of the blade are provided. The plurality of cooling holes in the platform are formed at an approximate angle of 45° to the outside edge of the platform and are formed at the approximate mid-point of the thickness of the platform. The cooling holes are generally cylindrical in shape and have a diameter of approximately 50% of the platform thickness.

Abstract: Methods of to maintaining turbine discs prone to cracks in bucket attachment dovetails are disclosed. In one embodiment, wherein a turbine disc comprises a plurality of bucket attachment dovetail regions, one or more of the bucket attachment dovetail regions comprises a cooling slot, and each cooling slot comprises edges and adjacent surfaces, a method comprises inspecting the one or more of the bucket attachment dovetail regions comprising a cooling slot to confirm that each bucket attachment dovetail region meets predetermined minimum standards. The method further comprises blending the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises polishing the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises peening the edges of the at least one of the cooling slots. The method further comprises coating the edges and adjacent surfaces of at least one of the cooling slots.

Abstract: A turbine blade with a compound trailing edge cutback and method of making same is provided to remove cracks which have formed at a trailing edge cooling hole proximate the blade platform. The compound cutback is made along the entire trailing edge of the blade. The compound cutback has three sections. The first section is generally arc-shaped and is formed where the trailing edge of the blade blends into the platform. The second section is linear having a non-zero slope and extends from the root to an intermediate span of the blade. The third section is also linear having an approximately zero slope and extends from the intermediate span of the blade to the tip.

Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for an aircraft comprises: two or more fuel tanks (2,3,4,5,6) arranged in an inboard to outboard alignment, at least one being situated in the wing (1) of the aircraft, means for transferring fuel between the tanks (8, 9), and a fuel management system (10) for controlling and monitoring the transfer of fuel between tanks the fuel management system comprises; means for receiving a first input signal that the aircraft has left the ground, means for receiving a second input signal that the aircraft is approaching its destination, means for initiating the transfer of the fuel from a relatively inboard tank location to a relatively outboard tank location in response to the first input signal, and means for initiating the transfer of the fuel from a relatively outboard tank location to a relatively inboard tank location in response to the second input signal.

Abstract: An improved, novel convergent process suitable for large scale preparation of the antimigraine agent 4-(5-methoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-[3-[5-[[(methylamino)sulfonyl]methyl]-1H-ind ol-3-yl]propyl]piperazine (BMS 180048) and close analogs. The improved process provides efficiencies in handling, purification, and product yield and involves a novel heteroannulation reaction that provides the indole ring moiety and propylpiperazinyl-pyrimidine backbone in a single step.

Abstract: Flakeboard or particle board panels and other composite articles made from wood flakes or other particulate lignocellulosic materials having a relatively high internal bond and improved resistance to moisture are made from flakes or particles which have a moisture content of at least 15%. A catalyst capable of accelerating the reaction between the flakes or particles, the binder and water is applied to the flakes or particles prior to the addition of a moisture-tolerant particle board binder, such as an organic polyisocyanate. A mat of the resulting furnish is compression shaped under pressure and at a temperature less than 250.degree. F. for a time period sufficient to form a composite article of the desired shape and/or dimensions.