Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.

Abstract: A posture support system for a person supporting appliance comprising: a module (300), each module (300) comprising: an expandable body (20), means (60) for changing the degree of expansion of the expandable body (20); a sensor (27) configured to produce measurement data corresponding to the degree of expansion of the expandable body (2); a processor (116) arranged to process the measurement data generated from the sensor (27); and a wireless communication unit (114) arranged to transmit the measurement data wirelessly to a controller (320) and receive control data to control the degree of expansion of the expandable body (20).

Abstract: A vehicle strut assembly includes a boot and a coil spring. The boot has a vertical wall, a spring receiving portion and a centering portion projecting from the vertical wall. The coil spring has an end section, a transition section and a main section, the end section being fitted to the spring receiving portion encircling at least a portion of the vertical wall and defining a first radially inner diameter. The transition section has an increasing inner diameter extending from the end section to the main section. The main section defines a second radially inner diameter greater than the first radially inner diameter. The centering portion is positioned to contact a radially inner surface of the transition section of the coil spring restricting movement of the end section of the coil spring relative to the spring receiving portion of the boot.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining seller scores and modifying webpage displays according to the determined seller scores. One method comprises receiving, from a user device over a network, a selection of a webpage associated with a product; searching a database using the received selection to determine a list of sellers of the product; determining a seller score of each seller of the list based on first, second, and third factors of each seller; and ranking the sellers of the list based on the seller score of each seller. The method may further comprise modifying a user interface element to include product information of the product of the seller with the highest seller score; retrieving a webpage associated with the product and modifying the webpage to include the modified user interface element; and sending, over the network, the modified webpage to the user device.

Abstract: A process and machine configured to predict and preempt an aerodynamic disturbance. The machine may include a BDE (Bhan-Donahue-Endres) adaptor configured to that comprises a specially programmed processor that has an adaptive learning control and rules to: modify a control augmentation system on an aerospace vehicle, to preclude an undesired state of the aerospace vehicle unaccounted for by control laws in current control augmentation systems; form a prediction for an airspeed of the aerospace vehicle that replaces an airspeed input from a sensor of the aerospace vehicle, in a phase of operation prone to instrumentation error, into the control augmentation system; generate an estimate, based upon the prediction, of an anticipated disturbance to a desired state of the aerospace vehicle; and generate, based upon the estimate, a command to a control element of the aerospace vehicle that preempts the undesired state of the aerospace vehicle.

Abstract: A process and machine configured to predict and preempt an aerodynamic disturbance. The machine may include a BDE (Bhan-Donahue-Endres) adaptor configured to that comprises a specially programmed processor that has an adaptive learning control and rules to: modify a control augmentation system on an aerospace vehicle, to preclude an undesired state of the aerospace vehicle unaccounted for by control laws in current control augmentation systems; form a prediction for an airspeed of the aerospace vehicle that replaces an airspeed input from a sensor of the aerospace vehicle, in a phase of operation prone to instrumentation error, into the control augmentation system; generate an estimate, based upon the prediction, of an anticipated disturbance to a desired state of the aerospace vehicle; and generate, based upon the estimate, a command to a control element of the aerospace vehicle that preempts the undesired state of the aerospace vehicle.

Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft-mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor includes an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A vehicle strut assembly includes a boot and a coil spring. The boot has a vertical wall, a spring receiving portion and a centering portion projecting from the vertical wall. The coil spring has an end section, a transition section and a main section, the end section being fitted to the spring receiving portion encircling at least a portion of the vertical wall and defining a first radially inner diameter. The transition section has an increasing inner diameter extending from the end section to the main section. The main section defines a second radially inner diameter greater than the first radially inner diameter. The centering portion is positioned to contact a radially inner surface of the transition section of the coil spring restricting movement of the end section of the coil spring relative to the spring receiving portion of the boot.

Abstract: A posture support system for a person supporting appliance comprising: a module (300), each module (300) comprising: an expandable body (20), means (60) for changing the degree of expansion of the expandable body (20); a sensor (27) configured to produce measurement data corresponding to the degree of expansion of the expandable body (2); a processor (116) arranged to process the measurement data generated from the sensor (27); and a wireless communication unit (114) arranged to transmit the measurement data wirelessly to a controller (320) and receive control data to control the degree of expansion of the expandable body (20).

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for priority-based digital multi-stream decoding. A multi-stream decoder may be enabled to decode and present multiple streams of a multi-stream multimedia application, simultaneously. The multi-stream decoder may be enabled to determine a priority level for each of the received multiple streams of the multimedia application. A high-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a high frame rate and a relative high resolution level, while a lower-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a low frame rate and a relative low resolution level. The decoded frames may be presented in a picture-in-picture format. The priority level for each of the received multiple streams may depend on user input, a user profile, and/or a display capability.

Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for priority-based digital multi-stream decoding. A multi-stream decoder may be enabled to decode and present multiple streams of a multi-stream multimedia application, simultaneously. The multi-stream decoder may be enabled to determine a priority level for each of the received multiple streams of the multimedia application. A high-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a high frame rate and a relative high resolution level, while a lower-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a low frame rate and a relative low resolution level. The decoded frames may be presented in a picture-in-picture format. The priority level for each of the received multiple streams may depend on user input, a user profile, and/or a display capability.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for priority-based digital multi-stream decoding. A multi-stream decoder may be enabled to decode and present multiple streams of a multi-stream multimedia application, simultaneously. The multi-stream decoder may be enabled to determine a priority level for each of the received multiple streams of the multimedia application. A high-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a high frame rate and a relative high resolution level, while a lower-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a low frame rate and a relative low resolution level. The decoded frames may be presented in a picture-in-picture format. The priority level for each of the received multiple streams may depend on user input, a user profile, and/or a display capability.

Abstract: The following invention is a method and system for producing and using a trading card game that facilitates the learning of foreign languages. The cards comprise a bifold design that allows the display of the pronunciation, symbolic representation, and meaning of a foreign language character on a trading card. The card comprises a challenge element that permits the rules of the game to change depending on whether the user of the game correctly responds to the challenge element. Each card also comprises a unique identifying element that allows interface between the card game and a handheld electronic device. This allows high replay value for the trading card game while also enhancing the educational benefit of the game.

Abstract: A dip coating apparatus and method of dip coating. The apparatus includes a guide surface, a bendable tube, a carriage, and a support assembly. The bendable tube redirectionally engages the guide surface intermediate the first and second longitudinal ends of the tube. The carriage is vertically repositionable and cooperatively engages the tube proximate the first longitudinal end of the tube, whereby vertical repositioning of the carriage effects a change in the vertical distance between the first and second longitudinal ends of the tube. The support assembly releasably suspends an elongate workpiece for introduction of at least a portion of the workpiece into the tube through the first longitudinal end of the coating tube as the carriage is vertically repositioned upwards towards the support assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of polymer sheets and multiple layer glazing panels comprising infrared absorbing agents, and, more specifically, the present invention is in the field of polymer sheets and multiple layer glazing panels comprising infrared absorbing agents that selectively absorb infrared radiation. In various embodiments of the present invention, an interlayer includes lanthanum hexaboride, which effectively absorbs infrared radiation at about 1,000 nanometers, and an epoxy, which stabilizes the lanthanum hexaboride agent.

Abstract: An encapsulant adapted for use in a photovoltaic module includes a random terpolymer and a random copolymer. In one embodiment, the terpolymer includes ethylene, methyl acrylate, and glycidyl methacrylate, and the copolymer is a heat resistant copolymer. The encapsulant may include a carrier resin and/or one or more additives, such as a UV absorbing material, a hindered amine light stabilizer, a phosphite antioxidant, and/or a silane.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for priority-based digital multi-stream decoding. A, multi-stream decoder may be enabled to decode and present multiple streams of a multi-stream multimedia application, simultaneously. The multi-stream decoder may be enabled to determine a priority level for each of the received multiple streams of the multimedia application. A high-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a high frame rate and a relative high resolution level, while a lower-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a low frame rate and a relative low resolution level. The decoded frames may be presented in a picture-in-picture format. The priority level for each of the received multiple streams may depend on user input, a user profile, and/or a display capability.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymer films that comprise lanthanum hexaboride and an epoxy agent. The lanthanum hexaboride and epoxy agent can be incorporated into or onto a polymer film in any suitable manner. The addition of an epoxy agent surprisingly provides a stabilization effect to the lanthanum hexaboride, which allows for the production of polymer films that advantageously absorb infrared radiation and resist environmental degradation. Polymer films thus produced have a significant number of applications, for example, but not limited to, display devices, protective coverings, and glazing film applications.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plasma display panel filters, and more specifically the present invention is in the field of multiple layer plasma display panel filters having a PVB layer. Also included are methods of filtering plasma display panel radiation and plasma display panel devices utilizing plasma display panel filters of the present invention.