Abstract: A system and method for reducing the oxygen content in a storage/transportation device. The system includes a flexible bag type enclosure, a source if inert gas, and a source of vacuum. The enclosure has sealable input and output ports. The system has a vent to the atmosphere. In use, the interior enclosure environment is suctioned down, and re-pressurized with an inert gas. Sever suction/infusion cycles may be necessary, with possible recirculation taking place between or during cycles.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars in a process that, in preferred embodiments, also performs cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded.

Abstract: A multi-lance reel assembly comprising a plurality of reel assemblies received onto and disposed to rotate about an axle. Each reel assembly rotates independently of the others. Each reel assembly further comprises a plurality of spokes separating a rim from a hub. Each hub provides a hub groove on each internal hub surface, and a hub aperture connecting each external hub surface with the hub groove. When the reel assemblies are received onto the axle, axle grooves on the axle align with the hub grooves to form a continuous ring aperture for each reel assembly. Separate axle apertures connect either one of the end faces of the axle with each axle groove, providing a separate passageway from each external hub surface to an axle end face. Hoses, electrical conduits, conductors or other similar carrier hardware deployed within hollow lances spooled on each reel assembly may connect to the hub apertures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust bleed ports on an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example method to extract bleed air from an aircraft engine includes extracting, via a plenum positioned in a compressor of the aircraft engine, bleed air from a first bleed port associated with a first stage of a compressor and a second bleed port associated with a second stage of the compressor. The plenum is configured to combine the extracted bleed air from the first and second bleed ports and fluidly couple the extracted bleed air to one or more systems of an aircraft. The method includes regulating a pressure of the extracted bleed air in the plenum by adjusting a flow of bleed air through the first bleed port via a first valve associated with the first bleed port and adjusting a flow of bleed air through the second port via a second valve associated with the second bleed port.

Abstract: A method for providing targeted feedback based on a goal of the feedback. The method includes receiving, by one or more computer processors, a goal desired as a result of an exchange of information between a plurality of users. The method then includes monitoring, by the one or more computer processors, the exchange of information between the plurality of users. The method includes mapping, by the one or more computer processors, the monitored information in a database storing ontological relationships. The method then includes determining based, at least in part, on the received goal and the stored ontological relationships, targeted feedback for the plurality of users.

Abstract: Tooling for partial disassembly of a bypass turbofan engine wherein the longitudinal axis of the bypass turbofan engine remains generally horizontal during disassembly. The low pressure turbine module is removed with a low pressure turbine module horizontal removal tool. An extended bearing nut tool may be supported by a stabilization member and may remove a bearing nut. An extended high pressure turbine shaft stretching tool may stretch a high pressure turbine shaft to release a high pressure turbine shaft nut. An extended bearing pulling tool may be used to pull a bearing while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A modified measurement bridge may be used to measure the position of certain components while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A nozzle jig may be used to assemble nozzles and feather seals to create a nozzle module.

Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser generating samples of the distance from the laser to a sampled point on the tubular's external surface. The laser samples are processed in real time into surface contour data. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser generating samples of the distance from the laser to a sampled point on the tubular's external surface. The laser samples are processed in real time into surface contour data. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust bleed ports on an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example apparatus for bleeding air from a multi-stage compressor of an aircraft engine includes a compressor case having a plurality of bleed ports. A first bleed port is associated with a first stage of a compressor, and a second bleed port is associated with a second stage of the compressor. The apparatus includes a plenum connected to the compressor case to define a plenum cavity. The plenum fluidly coupling the first and second bleed ports to a fluid conduit for providing bleed air to one or more systems of an aircraft. The apparatus also includes a bleed port selection mechanism located within the plenum cavity. The bleed port selection mechanism including a first portion proximate the first bleed port and operable to prevent fluid flow through the first bleed port.

Abstract: Systems and methods that use an optical impedance sensor that eliminates electricity for measuring fuel quantity in fuel tanks. The optical impedance sensor comprises two optical fibers spaced apart inside a meniscus tube, one to transmit light along its length and the other to receive light along its length. The meniscus tube minimizes the sloshing of fuel level. The fuel level in the tank modulates the optical impedance between the two optical fibers, resulting in changes in the total light received by an optical detector. Depending on fuel tank height, the optical impedance sensor may comprise different embodiments in which the detection apparatus shapes the light to be unidirectional (emitted and collected only on one side of the fiber) or omnidirectional (all directions).

Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.

Abstract: A gun safe is disclosed. In some embodiments, the gun safe may include a safe body defined at least by a back, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom, and a front, the front comprising an opening; a door coupled with the first side and/or the front and configured to open and close; a lower shelf coupled with the door having a first shape; and an upper shelf coupled with the door, the upper shelf having a second shape and comprising a plurality of holes configured to secure a barrel of a firearm.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide logic for decentralized request routing. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method routes a request. The method includes receiving, by a client server, the request. The client server evaluates feedback information received by the client server from at least one of a plurality of host servers. The client server selects one of the plurality of host servers to process the request, based on the evaluation, and transmits the request to the selected one of the plurality of host servers.

Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.

Abstract: An improved aircraft management system for consolidating and prioritizing alerts through the use of an alert consolidator is described herein. According to an embodiment, a method for providing a list of tasks for responding to alerts provided by an aircraft sensing system includes receiving a plurality of alerts provided by an aircraft sensing system prioritizing at least two alerts, generating a prioritized sequential list of tasks for responding to the prioritized alerts, and providing, in a single format, the prioritized sequential list of tasks.

Abstract: A particulate and siloxane filtration system may include a housing and a filter media assembly. The filter media assembly may be disposed within the housing and positioned to filter intake gases to an internal combustion engine. The filter media assembly may include a particulate media configured to remove particulates from the intake gases and a siloxane media configured to remove siloxanes from the intake gases.

Abstract: A method including forming a through-substrate via through a thickness of a substrate, the thickness of the substrate is measured from a front side of the substrate to a back side of the substrate, removing a first portion of the substrate to form an opening in the back side of the substrate such that a second portion of the substrate remains in direct contact surrounding a vertical sidewall of the through-substrate via, and filling the opening with an alternate material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the substrate.

Abstract: A touch screen bezel design that is optimized for use by a pilot during in-flight operations, which include vibrations, turbulence, and other factors affecting direct interaction with a touch screen. The bezel is further designed to include bezel indices which support touch interaction by a finger when a pilot's arm is near full extension as well as in other suboptimal postures. The bezel is also designed to elicit understanding that the screen it surrounds is touch-enabled, providing a common interface look and feel for all touch-enabled screens on the flight deck.

Abstract: A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.