Abstract: Cutting instruments and related methods are disclosed herein in which the diameter of the retrograde cutting blade can be adjusted to any of a plurality of diameter settings, allowing the same instrument to be used to form holes of different diameters. The limit diameter can be preset such that, during the cutting operation, the user need not be concerned with selecting the appropriate diameter, but rather can simply deploy the cutting blade until the preset limit is reached. Cutting instruments are also disclosed in which the retrograde cutting blade is distinct from the forward drilling tip and protected within a cavity formed in the body of the instrument when not in use, as are instruments in which the user is given visual and/or tactile feedback to confirm desired positioning of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.

Abstract: An input device, such as a mouse, can include a housing defining an exterior grip portion and an internal volume, a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume, and an emitter electrically coupled to the sensor assembly. In response to the sensor assembly detecting a first touch input on the housing, the emitter sends a first signal including information regarding an angular position of the grip portion. In response to the sensor assembly detecting a second touch input on the housing, the emitter sends a second signal including information regarding a direction of a force exerted on the housing from the second touch input.

Abstract: A computer system can include an input device having a housing defining an internal volume. The housing can include a grip portion and a base portion defining an aperture. The computer system can also include a tilt sensor disposed in the internal volume, a position sensor disposed at the aperture, and a processor. The processor can be electrically coupled to the position sensor, the tilt sensor, and a memory component storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a first input from the tilt sensor, receive a second input from the position sensor, determine, based on the first and second inputs, if the base is in contact with a support surface and an angle of the base relative to the support surface. The processor can also output a signal based on the angle if the base is in contact with the support surface.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine with a bearing that is supplied with fuel and compressed air for both cooling and lubrication of the bearing. The bearing housing contains a serpentine flow cooling circuit with each leg formed from a plurality of parallel flow channels, and where fuel is supplied to the cooling circuit and then discharged into a combustor. Some of the fuel is also bled off and passed into the bearing compartment along with compressed air bled off from the compressor to both cool and lubricate the bearing.

Abstract: A ring segment for a gas turbine engine includes a panel and a cooling system. The cooling system is provided within the panel and includes an elongated intermediate plenum extending parallel to leading and trailing edges of the ring segment, and is located radially between an inner side of the panel and a hook structure extending from an outer side of the panel. A plurality of cooling fluid feed passages supply cooling fluid to the intermediate plenum, and a plurality of convective cooling passages extend through the panel from the intermediate plenum to one of the leading and trailing edges for cooling the inner side of the panel. The intermediate plenum is located in axial alignment with and defines an area of reduced thermal mass receiving impingement cooling adjacent to the hook structure.

Abstract: Solid state processing is performed on a workpiece that operates alone or is a component of equipment used in various demanding, harsh and wearing environments in which failure of a product could compromise safety or the environment or otherwise result in significant cost for repair or replacement, wherein the solid state processing performed by using a tool capable of friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, or friction stir welding results in a workpiece that offers a longer life-cycle and/or improved performance and/or improved reliability as a result of the solid state processing.

Abstract: A system and method for using friction stir welding, friction stir processing, and friction stir mixing to create pressure vessels, pipes or other containers comprised of a single material or multiple layers of different materials, and having superior strength and endurance characteristics.

Abstract: A friction stir welding system that enables clamping of a pipe to enable friction stir welding around the pipe OD, a movable mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe by a tool, and a system for providing friction stir welding and repair inside a nuclear vessel in an underwater environment.

Abstract: A friction stir welding system that enables clamping of a pipe to enable friction stir welding around the pipe OD, a movable mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe by a tool, and a system for providing friction stir welding and repair inside a nuclear vessel in an underwater environment.

Abstract: A system and method of using friction stir welding and friction stir processing to perform crack repair or preventative maintenance of various materials and structures, wherein the structures include pipeline, ships, and nuclear reactor containment vessels, wherein the friction stir welding and processing can be performed on various materials including metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, and wherein the friction stir welding and processing can be performed remotely and in harsh environments such as underwater or in the presence of radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for procuring non-production commodities for use by employees of a commercial enterprise includes associating the employee with a user profile comprising information relating a status of the employee within the enterprise, automatically generating a requisition for the employee indicating a desired commodity and quantity thereof, and, utilizing the user profile information and the desired commodity to enable employee searching of specific catalogs provided in a database storage device for indication of the desired commodity in a requisition. The system and method further provides for the automatic generation of a purchase order based on the requisition, the forwarding of the purchase order to the vendor for processing the order without a third party intervenor, and provides a mechanism for receiving vendor purchase order acknowledgments and approving vendor initiated changes to the purchase order without third party intervention.

Abstract: A quasi push-pull single switch current-fed fly-back converter is used as the power supply for the magnetron of a microwave oven. A voltage doubler output circuit has a high impedance. A small magnetic circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding in series with an IGBT switch means and in series with an inductor. A single diode is connected in series with the inductor. A secondary winding is connected to the voltage doubler. A tertiary winding is coupled to a pulse width modification, i.e. for controlling the conductor sequence of the IGBT.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning fuel oil or a fuel composed of a concentrated coal-water slurry has a circular air register with circumferentially overlapping vanes mounted concentrically to fuel supply means and larger diameter cylinders arranged to define a triple annuli therebetween adjacent to a frusto-conical burner port.

Abstract: A semiconductor switching circuit is disclosed which switches current from a power source through a load in response to switching control signals applied to first and second semiconductor switching devices, such as transistors. The first and second transistors are connected in series and the first transistor has a higher voltage rating but lower switching speed than the second transistor. A voltage limiting device, such as a further transistor, effectively limits the voltage across the second transistor so that its voltage rating is not exceeded and also so as to remove stored charge in the base region of the first transistor which would otherwise tend to hold the transistor on. This technique increases the switching speed of the circuit and allows a high voltage and current handling device to be selected for the first transistor, and a high current, high speed device to be selected for the second transistor.