Abstract: A fire suppression or explosion protection system is having a manual actuator for an electrically responsive initiator or gas-generating cartridge activator. The manually operated actuator (10) for triggering the electrically responsive initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17) includes a shaft (46), for generating a current for delivery to the initiator (26) or cartridge activator (17) when the shaft (46) is rotated; a manually moveable handle (38) shiftable between first and second positions at any desired speed; and structure (40) operably coupling the handle (38) with the shaft (46) for rotating the shaft (46) at a selected speed when the handle (38) is shifted between the first and second positions regardless of the speed at which the handle (38) is shifted for generating a current pulse of a selected magnitude for triggering the initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17).

Abstract: A turbine shroud segment includes a substrate and a coating layer having varying thickness. Various construction details are developed that provide minimal spalling of the coating layer during use of the shroud segment. In a particular embodiment, a shroud segment includes a coating layer that tapers towards the edges. The thickness tapers to a minimum thickness along the leading and trailing edges. Within the blade passing region of the shroud segment, the coating layer tapers towards the lateral edges to a thickness determined by the minimum thickness required for abrasive contact between the shroud segment and rotor blades. In another particular embodiment, the varying thickness of the coating layer is produced by forming the substrate with a concave surface, applying the coating, and subsequently machining back the coating layer to the desired dimensions.

Abstract: An anchor davit to facilitate handling an anchor cable and to stow the anchor in a safe, secure position when it is raised out of the water. The davit provides a cable centering, direction changing roller, rotatably supported on a mounting bracket to guide the cable over the side of a boat and to cradle and cushion the raised anchor. A retaining loop, pivotally supported on the bracket, is coaxial with the roller and cooperates therewith to hold the cable on the roller and brings about a suitable stowing position of the anchor.